Year six of the Sheep Welfare Scheme will begin on February 1, 2022. The scheme was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, who urged all eligible new entrants to the sheep sector who wish to participate to return their forms by the launch deadline.
In a statement issued on January 11th, 2022, the minister said: “I was very pleased to be able to secure additional funding for the scheme in Budget 2022. It underlines my commitment to the sheep sector.”
“The allocation for Sheep Welfare Scheme has increased from €17m in 2021 to €19.5m in 2022 to cover the continuation of the scheme in 2022, and the change to reference year.”
He noted that the scheme provides “valuable” support to sheep farmers for undertaking actions that make a “positive” contribution to flock welfare.
As in previous years, the DAFM will automatically enroll existing participants, and these farmers do not need to take any action should they wish to remain in the scheme.
The scheme defines a new entrant to sheep farming as an applicant who has applied for a new herd number in the period, January 1 to December 31, in the year preceding the scheme year; or an applicant with an existing herd number who has not held or traded in sheep for a two-year period up to October 31, preceding the scheme year.
To access an application form, contact the DAFM’s Sheep Welfare Scheme section by e-mailing sheepscheme@agriculture.gov.ie, or phone 057 867 4422.
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