The Department of Agriculture has announced that over 45,000 registered sheep and goat keepers have received their annual Sheep and/or Goat Census 2018 forms. The return of census details is a legal requirement.

Farmers should note the census date is Monday 31 December and the closing date for receipt of completed 2018 census forms returned by post in the pre-addressed envelope provided is Thursday 31 January 2019. The census return can be made by ordinary post.

However, the Department has warned that in the event of a dispute the only acceptable proof of postage is a registered post receipt – a postal certificate or express post receipt is not acceptable.

The census returns can also be submitted online via www.agfood.ie. If submitting online, the closing date is extended to Thursday 14 February 2019. The Department says the online system provides confirmation when a census submission has been completed successfully. According to the Department, farmers not already registered for online services can do so by logging on to www.agfood.ie and clicking the option to register. “As log-in details are issued by post, farmers should allow sufficient time in advance of the closing date to receive their log on details,” a spokesperson said.

“Online completion of the 2018 census will remain an option after the extended closing date for online returns (14 February 2019). However, it should be stressed that late submission of 2018 details may have implications for eligibility to certain DAFM schemes,” the spokesperson added.

They said submission of a completed census is central in declaring that required stocking rates are being maintained and facilitates the drawing down of payments under schemes such as the Sheep Welfare Scheme, Basic Payment Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, AEOS, GLAS etc.

“Failure to return the census on time may impact payments under these schemes and also other future related payments from this Department,” the spokesperson said.

An information leaflet on the new rules relating to the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS), announced by the Minister in May this year, will be included in the envelope with the Annual Sheep Census 2018 forms.