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The Ombudsman has decided to uphold a 100% BDGP penalty imposed by the Department of Agriculture on a farmer.
Under the terms of the scheme, a farmer must tag and test a calf for BVD within 20 days of birth.
However, in 2016, the farmer failed to register one out of 150 calves on his farm within the time frame and was hit with a 100% penalty.
Oversight
The farmer stated the mistake had been an oversight and that the penalty was excessive.
He applied to the Ombudsman to review the case.
However, the Department responded by pointing out they were merely applying the terms of the scheme.
Conclusion
The Ombudsman concluded by finding that the Department had applied the terms of the scheme correctly.
Given the alterations to the rules in BVD regulations, he also noted that the farmer would now be paid under the scheme despite the error.
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