Written answers

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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957. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a son or daughter taking over a family farm is not treated like a new entrant to the sheep welfare scheme given they are using the same herd number as previously held by a parent; if the rule will be reviewed based on the fact that the child may never have owned, bought or sold sheep under this herd number and their first transaction will be through the existing herd number; if his Department will engage with young farmers in such a situation; if relevant information such as current flock numbers will be taken into account when deciding on eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5813/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Terms and Conditions of the Sheep Welfare Scheme provides for new entrants to sheep farming to apply to participate in the scheme.  Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, a new entrant is defined as an applicant who has applied for a new herd number in the period 1st January to 31st December in the year preceding the scheme year, or an applicant with an existing herd number who has not held or traded in sheep for a two year period up to 31 October preceding the scheme year. 

In cases where a family member is taking over a family farm and the herd number is to be transferred to the son or daughter, where this transfer takes place after 31st January, the application remains in the parent's name for the remainder of the current scheme year.  The son/daughter will become the scheme participant in the following scheme year. 

Where the herd number is transferred to a family member between 1st and 31st January 2021, this will be examined on a case-by-case basis.  

Families who may be considering this issue and would like further information can contact the Sheep Welfare Section of my Department by phone 076 106 4420 or by emailing sheepscheme@agriculture.gov.ie.     

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