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The first details of the highly anticipated new sheep scheme are contained in a scheme proposal document submitted to the European Commission in Brussels for approval.
The scheme, which is worth €10/ewe, is being submitted as an amendment to the Rural Development Plan (RDP) under the heading of animal welfare. It focuses in particular at reducing lamb mortality and lambing difficulties through a range of targeted measures. If sanctioned, the Animal Welfare (sheep) Scheme will start in 2017 and run for four years until the current RDP finishes in 2020.
Payment criteria
The scheme targets supporting 34,000 flocks, with eligible farmers being those with breeding ewes. There is €25m funding each year. With a payment of €10/ewe, the scheme is sufficient to fund payment for 2.5m breeding ewes. The number of ewes eligible for payment is based on a historic reference period, using the average of ewe numbers possessed in 2014 and 2015 as the basis for payment. The document says that this will ensure there is no risk of exceeding the overall budget ceiling allocated to the scheme.
The exception to this, which allows payment rates to be increased for a higher number of ewes than possessed in 2014 and 2015, is for farmers participating in GLAS and are required as a condition of their Commonage Management Plan or Farm Plan to increase the number of ewes to reach their individual minimum stocking level. The document also says the scheme may be opened to new entrants.
To remain eligible for payment, farmers must remain as an active sheep farmer. Applicants must have a flock number, have breeding ewes on their holding for the entire duration of the scheme and have ewes declared on their 2016 Sheep Census return.
There are nine measures outlined which are split into two categories – A and B. Participants must select one measure from each with the categories also differing as shown in Table 1 for lowland and hill flocks.
The definition of a hill or lowland farmer is based on the dominant type of ewes in the flock – applicants with more than 50% lowland ewes must choose from the lowland options, while applicants with greater than 50% hill ewes must choose from the options laid out for hill flocks.
The nine measures are outlined below on their baseline requirement, what is expected from farmers, the measures impact at farm level and how it will be monitored and policed.
Lameness (lowland measure)
Participants must carry out a minimum of five lameness examinations per year at prescribed times and record the incidence of lameness in a workbook. The degree of lameness will also need to be scored, meaning sheep will need to be flocked to carry out this measure.
Control: It will be monitored by retaining documentation including records of examination (recording the incidence and scoring how bad it is) treatments administered and receipts of purchased treatments. Department of Agriculture inspectors may also visually assess the flock during an inspection.
Mineral supplementation of ewes (hill & lowland measure)
This is a measure for lowland and hill flocks. Participants selecting this measure will be required to supplement ewes post-mating with minerals. This is targeted at combating deficiencies in ewes which are linked in increased stillbirths and mortalities.
Control: It will be monitored by having records of mineral purchases and administration.
Meal feeding post-weaning (hill measure)
This option requires supplementation of lambs for four weeks post-weaning with a suitable ration. It is targeted at ensuring mineral deficiencies resulting from standard husbandry practices prior to weaning are corrected.
Control: Proof of purchase of feed is the main policing mechanism, but inspectors can also inspect supplementary feeding points for evidence of feeding.
Parasite control (hill and lowland measure)
The parasite control measure covers both hill and lowland flocks, but differs slightly across each. Lowland flocks must carry out a minimum of two faecal egg counts annually to establish the worm burden. For hill flocks, the measure requires carrying out one faecal egg count on lambs for the presence of worms between three and four weeks post-weaning or one faecal egg count on ewes for the presence of liver fluke.
Control: Policed by FEC lab results and records of any anthelmintics administered.
Flystrike (lowland measure)
Participants must incorporate a flystrike programme into management practices during high-risk months. Flies can be prevented by chemical (pour-on, dipping, etc) or mechanical (dagging, crutching) means or a combination of both. These practices must be recorded, along with recording the number of sheep with dags removed.
Control: Information on mechanical control and chemical control must be recorded and retained along with dagging scores for the flock.
Scanning (hill and lowland measure)
This requires scanning ewes 80 days post-ram turnout, followed by marking / dividing and targeted feeding based on litter size. It may increase the number of management groups, but will improve the welfare of ewes and lambs.
Control: Policed by retention of receipt from scanning operator.
Mineral supplementation of lambs (hill measure)
Hill farmers selecting this option must supplement lambs with minerals pre-weaning, which will address mineral deficiencies.
Control: Controlled by proof of purchase of mineral supplements.
Three-, four-, five-star rams (hill and lowland measure)
Under this measure, participants must purchase a three-, four- or five-star ram, rated on the terminal or replacement index, per 40 breeding ewes for at least one breeding season before the end of year three. This is aimed at reducing mortality and other welfare losses, while also improving the genetic merit of the flock.
Control: Receipt of purchase of ram or sheep dispatch document showing movements if not home bred and Sheep Ireland certificate of genetic evaluation.
Parentage-recorded ram (hill flock measure)
A parentage recorded ram per 40 breeding ewes must be used for at least one breeding season before the end of year three. .
Control: Controlled by proof of purchase, sheep dispatch document (unless homebred) and parentage certification.
SHARING OPTIONS: