The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) wishes to remind farmers that today (Thursday, December 31) is the chosen date for recording census data on sheep and goats.

Annual sheep and goat census forms were issued to over 47,000 sheep and goat keepers registered with the department. Completion and return of the census is a legal obligation.

The closing date for receipt of completed 2020 census forms by post is February 1, 2021. However, respondents submitting a census return online may avail of an extended closing date to 11:59pm on February 15, 2021. Failure to return a completed form on time could impact on eligibility for some DAFM schemes.

It is not permitted to submit forms by post through any office of the department. The onus remains with the flock/herd keeper to make sure that completed census forms are received on time.

The department said that in the case of dispute regarding postal returns, the only acceptable proof of postage is a registered post receipt. A postal certificate or express post receipt is not acceptable as proof of postage.

New measures introduced under nitrates regulations

Something else worth noting, among other changes coming in tomorrow (January 1), is that the new, more stringent measures introduced under the nitrates regulations will now apply.

These include the introduction of a requirement in relation to liming; the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) technology; and reducing crude protein in concentrates on those farms at over 170kg organic N/ha and who currently do not avail of the nitrates derogation.

Also Read: New measures introduced under nitrates regulations

Announcing these measures last month, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Darragh O’Brien said:

“Farms operating at these levels (over 170kg organic N/ha and nitrates derogation farms) implement many of the very best practices in nutrient management planning and this revision to the regulation will ensure a level playing field.

“It is important that all farmers (i.e. over 170kg N/ha), including those not in derogation, play their part in protecting water quality.”

Following discussions between both ministers, the raft of measures will to be introduced from January 1, 2021. However, the introduction of the requirement to LESS for these farmers (over 170kg organic N/ha) will be introduced from April 15, 2021.

The current requirement to use LESS technology on nitrates-approved derogation farms remains in place where all slurry applied during 2021, must be applied by LESS methods.

New rules for farm roadways to take effect in 2021

Also from tomorrow, new requirements on farmers to prevent direct run-off of soiled water from farm roadways will come into effect from January 1, 2021, according to Teagasc.

These are in the form of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Specification on Farm Roadways S199, Teagasc’s Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).

Waters, as defined in Specification S199, include all water bodies and open drains that can carry water, even if only at times during the year.

Also Read: New rules for farm roadways to take effect in 2021
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SHEEP CENSUS