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A number of animals born in 2015 that tested positive for BVD and were not disposed of within seven weeks of the test caused affected farmers to miss out on payments under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme for 2016.
The disposal of BVD positive animals was part of the rules of the BDGP scheme for 2015. However, the rules were changed in late 2017, meaning that BVD positive animals could be disposed of before 31 March the following year and not incur a penalty.
This change was then applied to 2016-born animals, those born in the year prior to the change to the rule. But was not applied to 2015 born animals.
The Agricultural Appeals office report released this week said that the terms and conditions were unclear.
Differences
The appeal queried why, a farmer with a 2015-born calf and a 2016-born calf that both tested positive and were not removed within seven weeks, then why is only one of those calves eligible?
The director of the Agriculture Appeals Office wrote to the Department seeking clarification of the terms and conditions. The Department responded, saying it was decided that the revised rules would apply also to the 2015 year.
The decisions under appeal were subsequently revised by the Department in favour of the applicant.
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