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National Sheep Welfare Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Scheme is a one-year Scheme aimed at assisting farmers to produce better quality animals and implement practical animal welfare measures on their farms.
The National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) measures are additional to those in the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and must be applied for separately.
• You must have an ovine active DAFM Herd Number.
• You must be farming a holding in respect of which a valid 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Application is submitted to the Department, within the required application period.
• You must have submitted a 2023 National Sheep Census by the 14 February 2024.
• There are four actions in the Scheme and applicants must complete in full 2 actions, one from each category . Completion of both actions are mandatory for payment.
Payment will be per eligible breeding ewe and payment for full Scheme compliance will be €8 per ewe, (€4 per ewe per action completed).
The Scheme will run from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, however actions selected must be completed by the 15 October 2024. Reductions in payment will apply where not all actions are completed.
| Category A Actions | Category B Actions |
| 1. Shearing | 1. Clostridial vaccination of ewes |
| 2. Body Condition Scoring Ewes and appropriate follow-on management (as appropriate) | 2. Plunge Dipping to control external parasite. |
• Applications can only be made using the online facility at www.agfood.ie either by the applicant themselves or by an approved FAS advisor authorised to act on their behalf. Applicants not already registered for the Department’s online services will need to register first at www.agfood.ie .
• Application opening date is Monday 08 April 2024.
• Application closing date is Tuesday 21 May 2024, followed by 25 calendar day late application. Late applications closing date Saturday 15 June 2024.
• Applicants must ensure their application is correct as errors and omissions cannot be rectified afterwards.
• Applicants (or FAS advisors authorised to act on their behalf) need to ensure they click the “submit” button to actually submit their application prior to exiting the system. Failure to click on the “submit” button will mean your application has NOT been submitted.
• If you have forgotten your Agfood.ie PAC, Password, or are having any difficulties logging on, you can e-mail the Department at agfood@agriculture.gov.ie or Telephone: 049 4368288.
Guide to applying to the National Sheep Welfare Scheme
You can also write to:
Online Services Helpdesk
Address: Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan, H12 D459.
