Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) were accepted online from 03 August 2023 to the 26 September 2023. The original closing date had been the 12 September 2023, however my Department extended it to 26 September 2023 in order that applications could be facilitated at my Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships from the 19 - 21 September 2023.

Approximately16,400 eligible applications were submitted by the closing date on 26 September 2023. No valid application was received from the person named and is therefore not eligible to participate in the scheme for 2023. There is no provision for accepting late applications after the closing date.

There are two mandatory actions under the scheme; Action 1 - IBR testing which had to be completed by the 1 November 2023 and Action 2 - Meal Feeding.

A request for a review was received from the person named on the 24 October 2023 looking to be included in the scheme. Following completion of the review within my Department, a letter issued to the person on 26 October 2023, to inform them that the review was unsuccessful. The letter also advised the person named that they retained the right to appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) if they so wished.

Should the person concerned submit an appeal to the AAO, that is subsequently deemed successful, they should ensure that they are able to comply with the mandatory actions of the scheme as outlined above in order to receive payment under the scheme. Full details of the scheme requirements are outlined in the scheme terms and conditions which are available on my Department’s website at gov.ie - National Beef Welfare Scheme (www.gov.ie).

If however they choose not to submit an appeal to the AAO, they are free to sell calves as they are not bound by the terms and conditions of the National Beef Welfare Scheme, as they are not a participant within it.