The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that just five farmers have sought a review of their commonage scores under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

In February, the department announced that farmers who were unhappy with the score assigned to their commonage under the agri-environmental scheme could seek a review.

The scoring of commonages is undertaken by a third party on behalf of the department.

ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) teams conduct the scoring where the commonage falls within the respective ACRES CP zones.

In the case of non-CP commonage, the department employs contractors to undertake the scoring.

There is a three-step process for ACRES participants seeking a review of commonage scores.

Initially, the farmer must submit a request the relevant ACRES CP team or contractor that assessed and scored the commonage in question for an internal review to be undertaken.

This request must be made within three months of receiving the commonage scorecard summary.

If the farmer is not satisfied with the review explanation provided and having exhausted the internal referral process, they may then submit a request for review to the department within 21 days of the review.

In the event that the farmer is not satisfied with the DAFM internal review, they have a statutory right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO).

The department has confirmed to Agriland that five applicants have sought a review of their commonage scores.

"Two reviews have been completed, two are in progress and one requires further engagement from the participant.

"Due to the low numbers the department does not consider it appropriate to provide further details on the completed reviews.

"No internal reviews or appeals to the Agriculture Appeals Office have been submitted," a DAFM spokesperson said.