TERMSANDCONDITIONS

ANIMALWELFARE,RECORDINGAND BREEDINGSCHEMEFORSUCKLERHERDS

Introducedby

The

MinisterforAgriculture,FisheriesandFood

DATE:01January2010

AlldetailsofthisSchememaybeaccessedontheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodwebsiteat under Farmer Schemes and Payments (Suckler Welfare Scheme)

1. GeneralOutlineandLegalBasis

1.1These are the administrative provisions for the implementation of theAnimalWelfare, Recording and Breeding SchemeforSucklerHerdsinIrelandwhichhasbeenapprovedbythe EuropeanCommission.

1.2ThisSchemeisbasedonandistobeimplementedunderArticles40ofCouncilRegulation 1698/2005andIV.Cof CommunityGuidelinesforStateAidintheAgricultureandForestry Sector2007-2013(2006/C319/01).

TheSchemewillrunforamaximumoffiveyearsfrom01January2008until31December 2012. For applicants entering the Scheme from year 3 (2010), it will run for a maximum of three years from 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2012.

2. GeneralProvisions

2.1The Scheme shall be administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and shall operate throughouttheState.

2.2The Scheme is 100% funded by the National Exchequer.

2.3The 2010 Scheme will come into operation as and from 01 January 2010. An application to join the Scheme for a three yearcontract will be accepted up until 31 March 2010. A farmer who had suckler cows in 2008 and/or 2009 but did not apply to join the Scheme in 2008 or 2009 will not be permitted to join in 2010 or subsequent years.

2.4 Participants in the Scheme must carry out their farming activities in accordance with the conditions set out hereunder.

2.5 ParticipationintheSchemeisvoluntary.

3. Definitions

ForthepurposeofthisScheme:

(a) “theDepartment”shallmeantheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFood;

(b) “Minister”shallmeantheMinisterforAgriculture,FisheriesandFood;

(c) “familymember”shallmeanspouse,parent,brother,sister,son,daughter,grandchildorfavourednephew/niece;

(d) “farmer”shallmeananindividualagriculturalproducer,whetheranaturalorlegalpersonoragroupofnaturalorlegal persons,whateverlegalstatusisgrantedthegroupanditsmembersbyNationallaw,whoseholdingiswithintheState;

(e) “holding”shallmeanalltheproductionunitsintheStatemanagedbyaproducerandincludesthetotalareaofland whetherinoneormoreparcelsincludingbuildingsthereon,occupiedbyafarmer,whetherowned,takenonlease, rentedorotherwiseheldforthepurposeoffarming;

(f)“Applicant”shallmeanafarmerwhosubmitsanapplicationfortheAnimalWelfare,RecordingandBreedingScheme forSucklerHerds. Anapplicantmaysubmitonlyone suchapplicationinrelationtohis/herholding;

(g) “New entrant” shall mean an applicant who did not have suckler cows in 2008 and/or 2009and commences/re-commences keepingsucklercowsfortherearingofcalvesin2010.

(h) “Application”shallmeananapplicationforacontractundertheSchemeinaccordancewiththeTermsandConditions setoutherein;

(i) “ICBF”shallmeantheIrishCattleBreedingFederation;

(j) “AnimalEventsSystem”shallmeantherecordingsystemasoperatedbytheIrishCattle BreedingFederation(ICBF);

(k) “AIM shall mean the electronic Animal Identification and Movement database of the Animal Identification and Movement system.

(l) “CMMS”shallmeantheelectronicbovinedatabaseoftheCattleMovementMonitoringSystem;

(m) A “sucklercow”shallmeananycowforwhichpaymenthasbeenrequestedandwhich belongstoabeefbreedoris bornofacrosswithabeefbreed;

(n) An“eligiblesucklercow”shallmeanasucklercowwhich:

•Belongstoabeefbreed,orissiredbyabeefbreed.

•Isnotacowusedtosupplymilkcommercially.

•Ispartofaherdintendedforrearingcalvesformeatproduction.

•Rearsacalfbysuckling.

•Isintheownershipandpossessionoftheapplicant,andmaintainedontheholding.

•Isproperlytagged,registeredandrecordedinaccordancewith AIM(formerly CMMS)rules.

•IsinseminatedeitherthroughnormalserviceorAI,toabullofabeefbreed.

•Givesbirthtoacalf(deadoralive)intheapplicantsherdand,istaggedandregisteredtothatcow.

Measures1-6mustbecompletedonalllivecalvesbornto aneligible sucklercow,andallcalvesrearedbythatcow.

(o) An “eligible beef breed calf” shall mean a calf which:

  • Belongs to a beef breed, i.e. is born out of an eligible Suckler Cow and is sired by a beef breed.
  • Is part of a herd intended for rearing calves for meat production.
  • Is in the ownership and possession of the applicant, and maintained on the holding.
  • Is properly tagged and registered with the Departments Registration Agency, Clonakilty, Co Cork within 27 days of birth. It is not sufficient to post the registration form on day 27. Failure to register a calf within 27 days of birth will result in non-payment of the grant.

Is recorded in accordance with AIM(formerly CMMS)rules.

  • Measures 1-6 must be completed on all live calves born to an eligible suckler cow, and all calves reared by that cow.

(p)“beefbreed”shallmeananybreedexceptthefollowing:AnglerRotvieh(Angeln)-Rod-danskmaelkerace(RMD), Ayrshire,Armoricaine,BlueAlbion,BretonnePie-Noire,BrownSwiss,Fries-Hollands(FH),Francaisefrisonnepie noire (FFPN), Friesian-Holstein, Holstein, Black and White Friesian, Red and White Friesian, Frisona Espanola, Frisona Italiana, Zwartbonten van Belgie/Pie noire de Belgique, Sortbroget dansk maelkerace (SDM), Deutsche Schwarzbunte, Schwarzbunte Milchrasse (SMR), Groninger Blaarkop, Guernsey, Jersey, Malkekorthorn, Normande, Norwegian Red, Swedish Red, Danish Red, Reggiana andValdostana Nera, Itasuomenkarja, LansisuomenkarjaandPohjoissuomenkarja.

(q)“Teagasc”shallmeanTheIrishAgricultureandFoodDevelopmentAuthority.

(r) “ACA” shall mean the Agricultural Consultants Association.

(s) “Scheme”shallmeantheAnimalWelfare,RecordingandBreedingSchemeforSuckler Herds.

4. Objectivesof the Scheme

TheobjectivesoftheSchemeshallbeto:

•Enhancewelfarestandardsforanimalsproducedfromthesucklercowherd.

•Improvehusbandrystandardsatweaningtimeleadingtoreducedillnessandmortality andenhancedhealthofthe Nationalherd.

•Provideeducationandknowledgebuildingamongfarmersonbestpracticeinsucklerherdhealthandwelfare.

•ImprovethegeneticqualityoftheNationalsucklerherd.

•ImprovethecompetitivenessoftheIrishbeefindustryandthequalityofthebeef produced.

5. ConditionsfortheGrantofAid

Paymentsshallbemadeinrespectofavalidapplicationsubmittedbyafarmerwho,forthefulltermoftheirparticipation intheSchemefarmsincompliancewith:

•TheTermsandConditionssetoutinthisdocument

•The statutory management requirements set down in EU legislation on animal health and welfare. These requirements havebeensetoutindocumentspostedtofarmersin2005and2006,andareavailableontheDepartment'swebsite

6. ApplicationProcedure

Theapplicationprocedureshallbeasfollows:

•The onus will be on eligible suckler farmers to request an application form using one of the following methods:

  1. By writing to Suckler Herds Section, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Offices, Abbeyleix Rd., Portlaoise, Co Laois or,
  2. By phoning Lo-call 1890 252 707 or,
  1. By e-mailing on dedicated e-mail address .

•AllcalvesbornundertheScheme mustberegisteredusingtheAnimalEventsSystem within 27 days of birth.

•Theclosingdateforlodgingtheapplicationformwillbe31March2010.

•TheapplicationformmustbecompletedbythefarmerandbesubmittedtotheSuckler HerdsSection,Departmentof Agriculture,FisheriesandFood,GovernmentOffices, OldAbbeyleixRoad,Portlaoise,Co.Laois, or to any Local office of the Department.

•Theapplicantwillberequestedtorectifyanydeficienciesoutlinedandifthisisdonesatisfactorilywithin21working daysofthatrequest,theapplicationwillbereinstatedandprocessingwillrecommence.Applicationswhicharedeemed ineligiblewillberejected.

7. Eligibility

TobeeligibletoparticipateintheScheme,afarmershall:

•Beagedeighteenyearsorover,

•Befarmingaholdingforwhichalllandparcelswillbedeclaredeveryyearofthecontract undertheEUSinglePayment Scheme and an SPS application submitted to the Department.

•Undertaketoimplement,forthefulltermoftheScheme,Measures1to6onalleligiblesucklercowsandthecalves theyaresucklingkeptonhis/herholding. Paymentshallbelimitedtoamaximumof100eligiblesucklercowskept bytheapplicant.However,therequirementsoftheSchemeapplytoallsucklercows,andcalvesrearedbythosecows (whetherbornonthefarmorboughtin)keptontheholding.Measure7shallalsobecompulsory.

•RecordalldetailsofeachundertakingineachMeasurethroughtheAnimalEventsSystem.

  1. Measures

AAnimal Events 1-6 must be recorded, and the basic Scheme shall comprise

8.1 Measure1-Calvingdetails

Each calf must be registered using the ICBFAnimal Events System within 27 days ofbirth – failure to register the birth within 27 days will result in non-payment. AnAnimal Events Book will be issued to each applicant oncetheapplicationformislodged. Itwillalsobepossibletorecordthisinformationusingthe internet. Details ofsireofcalfandcalvingsurveymustberecordedinadditiontothemandatorycalfregistrationdataforeachcalfborn.

8.2 Measure2-Disbuddingofcalves

Veterinaryadviceisthatallcalvesshouldbetreatedwithalocalanaestheticwhendisbudding.Localanaestheticmay beobtainedonprescriptionfromveterinarysurgeons.Itis illegaltodisbudacalfover2weeksoldwithoutusing alocal anaesthetic.Disbuddingofcalvesmustbecarriedoutwithin3weeksofbirth,exceptwherethehornbudsdonotemerge withinthisperiod,orforanimalsthatarenaturallypolled.

Acustom-builtcalf-dehorningcrateshouldbeusedtominimisestresstothecalfandforoptimumsafetytotheoperator.

DateofDisbuddingshouldberecordedintheAnimalEvents Recording Notebook and then entered onto the Pre-Weaning Form, which must be returned to the ICBF.

8.3 Measure3-Castrationofcalves

ItisnotcompulsorytocastrateallmalecalvesunderthisScheme. However,wherecalvesaregoingtobecastrated,they mustbecastratedatleast4 weekspriortoweaningdate,oratleast2weeksafterthecalfhasbeenweaned.Itisillegal tocastrateananimalover6 monthsofagewithoutveterinaryinvolvement.Evidenceofcompletionofthistaskbya

Veterinary SurgeonmayberequestedbytheDepartment. Itisrecommendedthatcastrationbeundertakenattheearliestpossibleagetominimisestress.

DateofCastrationshouldberecordedintheAnimalEvents Recording Notebook and then entered onto the Pre-Weaning Form, which must be returned to the ICBF.

8.4 Measure4-Minimumcalvingage

The average age of heifers calving for the first time must be 24 months, and in no circumstances will an animal calving for thefirsttimeatlessthan22monthsofagebeeligibleforpayment. However,therewillbeatolerance,dependingonthe number of firstcalved heifers aged over 22 months of age in the herd, forheiferscalvingforthefirsttimebetween22monthsandupto24monthsofage as follows:

Number of first calved heifers aged over 22 months of age in the herd / Tolerance allowed in respect of first calved heifers aged between 22 and 24 months.
1-10 / 1
11-20 / 2
21-30 / 3
31-40 / 4
41-50 / 5
51-60 / 6
61-70 / 7
71-80 / 8
81-90 / 9
91-100 / 10

8.5 Measure5-Appropriateweaningprocedures

TheminimumagethatacalfcanbeweanedaspartofthisSchemeis8weeksofage. ThisMeasureiscomprisedofthreedifferentactions:

8.5.1Meal(concentrates)feeding

Concentrates must be introduced to calves a minimum of 4 weeks before weaning. The meal shall be of the appropriatequalityandstandardasrequiredforcalvesatweaningtime.Mealmustbefedinafeederappropriatefor calvesandallowsufficientroomforcalvestofeed.Thedailyallowanceperanimalmustbeincreasedoverthis perioduntilallanimalsareeating,onaverage,1.0kg/head/dayatweaning.Mealfeedingmustbecontinuedthrough theweaningprocessforaminimumperiodof2weeksafterweaning

Date of commencement of meal feeding should be entered in the Animals Events Recording Notebook and then entered onto the Pre-Weaning Form, which must be returned to the ICBF.

8.5.2Graduatedweaning

Abruptweaningofallanimalsattheonetimeisnotpermitted.

Forherdswithmorethan10sucklercows,agradualweaningproceduremustbefollowedwhenweaning,withthe followingbeingtheprocedurespermitted;

Atpasture:Theherdofcowsandcalvesareretainedinaproperlyfencedfieldwithagoodgrasssupply(orwith supplementaryforageprovided)andwithaconcentratecreepforthecalves. Calvesmustbeweanedinatleast2 separategroupswitheachgroupbeingremovedataminimumintervalof5days.Thefirstgroupofcowsmust beremovedallowingtheircalvestostaywiththeremainingherd. Anothermethodistoseparatecowsandcalves bymeansofawell-poweredelectricfence(upto3strandsmaybeneeded). Afterafewdaysthecowscanbe takenawaytoanotherarea.Againthecowsmustbeweanedinatleast2separategroups.

Indoors:Calvesarehousedinapenadjacenttothecowswithaccesstothesecows.Calvesmustbeweanedinat least2 separategroupswitheachgroupbeingremovedataminimumintervalof5 days.Thefirstgroupofcows mustberemovedallowingtheircalvestostaywiththeremainingherd.Cowsforcullingandthoseinpoorbody condition(e.g.youngcowsorveryoldcows)shouldbeweanedfirstandlatecalvingcowsingoodbodycondition weanedtowardstheend.

Dateof weaningshouldberecordedintheAnimalEventsRecording Notebook and then entered onto the Post-Weaning Form, which must be returned to the ICBF.

8.5.3Salesprocedure

Allanimalsmusthavebeenweanedaminimumof2weeksbeforetheycanbesold,ormovedfromtheherd.

8.6 Measure6-AnimalEventsRecording

ApplicantsmustcompleteandsubmitalltheinformationasrequiredintheAnimalEventsSystemthroughtheICBF within 12 months of the birth of the calf.This alsoincludesalldataforeachMeasureinthisScheme.Thisdatamaybeeithersubmittedinpaperformbypost,orover theinternet.Therecordingandsubmittingofanimaleventsinformationmustbecompletedaccordingtothescheduleset outintheAnimalEventsSystem.

8.7 Measure7-TrainingandEducation

8.7.1Itshallbemandatoryforanapprovedapplicanttoattendasuitabletrainingcourse organised by Teagasc or the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA)beforereachingtheendof theirsecondyearintheScheme. However,apersonwhoisunder35yearsofageon01January 2010andwhoholds atleastaNationalFrameworkofQualifications(NFQ)Level6AgriculturalQualificationorequivalentwillnothave to complete Measure 7 of the Scheme. Failure to attend within the period specified may result in the third years'paymentbeingwithhelduntilsuchtimeassatisfactoryevidenceisprovidedthatatrainingcourse hasbeencompletedbythebeneficiary.Iftheapplicantisunabletoattend,afamilymemberwhoisactivelyinvolved inthemanagementoftheSucklerherdmayattendthecourse.

8.7.2Inthecaseofjointapplicationseitherparticipantmayattendthecourse,butheorshemustattendthewhole course.

8.7.3TrainingcoursesshallbeforaspecifieddurationassetdownbytheMinister.

8.7.4ThecourseshallbedevisedinaccordancewithconditionssetdownbytheMinisteroranofficerauthorized ontheMinister'sbehalf. Courses will last about three hours and will take place mainly in marts. Each course will include presentations in animal welfare and breeding and a live display of quality suckler animals will also take place. Question and Answer sessions will be an integral part of the training. A specially produced DVD will be shown and a copy given to each attendant.

9. PaymentsundertheScheme

Anannualpayment (rate to be determined by the Minister) pereligiblesucklercowuptoalimitof100 cows,willbemadefollowingconfirmationofcompliancewith all the undertakings of the Scheme. It is permitted to vary the number of cows on the applicant's holding from year to year intheScheme.

10.ComplianceChecks

ToenabletheDepartmenttoverifytheaccuracyofinformationsubmittedbyapplicants,applicationformswillbesubject toadministrativechecks,controlsthrough AIM(formerly CMMS), AnimalEventsSystem,martinspectionsandon-farminspections. BysubmittingacompletedapplicationtheapplicantagreestherebytopermitofficialsoragentsoftheDepartmenttocarry outon-farminspectionswithorwithoutpriornoticeatanyreasonabletime(s)andwithoutprejudicetopublicliability. Applicantsmust:

10.1Wherenotifiedofanon-farminspectionarrangetobepresentfortheinspectionornominatearepresentativein his/herplacetoassisttheinspectingofficer;

10.2Segregate and present separately for inspection the animals the subject of this Scheme together with their

passports;

10.3Provideproperhandlinganddisinfectingfacilities;

10.4Arrangeforsufficienthelptobegiventotheinspectingofficer(s)sothateachanimalisrestrainedandcontrolled sufficientlysoastofacilitateinspection;

10.5Answerallrelevantqueriesarisingandproduceanyrelevantdocumentationrequestedatorafterinspectionwithout delay; Everyinspectionwillbethesubjectofareportandtheapplicantorhis/herrepresentativewillbegivenanopportunityto sign the report indicating his/her presence at the inspection and to add his/her observations if he/she so wishes. Unannouncedinspectionsmayalsoberequiredincertaincircumstances.Ifanapplicanthasbeenselectedforaninspection, theinspectionmustbecompleted.

11.RightofEntry

11.1TheMinisterreservestherighttocarryoutinspectionsatreasonabletimesofanyland,premises,plant,equipment,

livestockandrecordsofapplicantsinthisScheme. InspectionsmaybecarriedoutduringthecourseoftheScheme orwithin3monthsfollowingtheapplicantscompletionintheScheme.

11.2FailuretoallowaninspectionbytheDepartmenttoproceedmayleadtowithholding orrecoveryofanyaid.Ifan on-farminspectioncannotbecarriedoutthroughthe faultoftheapplicant,theapplicationshallberejectedunless aninstanceofforce majeureapplies.

12.Penalties

12.1 FailuretocomplywiththeMeasuresintheSchemewillresultinanappropriatepenalty/sanction.

12.2 Monetarypenalties,whichshallapplytocertainspecificbreachesoftheScheme, willapply.

12.3 PenaltyamountsmaybedeductedfromfuturepaymentsduetotheapplicantunderthisSchemeorfrompayments dueunderotherschemes. Wheremonetarypenaltiesarenotpaidorrecoveredwithintheperiodrequested,the Departmentmaytakewhateveractionisdeemednecessaryfortheirrecovery.

12.4SeriousbreachesoftheSchememayleadtotheterminationofparticipationand/orexclusionfromtheSchemefor aperiodcommensuratewiththeseriousnessofthe breach,andtherefundofmoniesalreadypaid.

12.5 Administrativepenaltiesshallbeappliedforlatelodgementoftheapplicationform withinthenecessarytimeframe

as follows; except in cases of force majeure, a penalty of 1% loss in payment per working day will apply to

applicationslodged afterthedeadlineforreceiptofsuchapplication. Ifthedelayamountstomorethan25 calendar days,theapplicationshallbedeemedinadmissibleandnoaidshallbegrantedinrespectof applicationsreceived on/after26April2010.

12.6WhereresiduesofsubstancesprohibitedunderCouncilDirective96/22/ECorresiduesofsubstancesauthorisedby thatDirectivebutusedillegallyaredetectedpursuanttoCouncilDirective96/23/ECinananimalbelongingto an applicantsbovineherdorarefoundontheholdinginanyformorwheretheapplicantobstructsaninvestigation concerningsuchresidues,he/sheshallnotreceiveanyAnimalWelfare,RecordingandBreedingSchemeforSuckler Herds payment for the calendar year of such detection, finding or obstruction. Where he/she repeats such an infringement, he/shemaybeexcludedfromAnimalWelfare,RecordingandBreedingSchemepaymentforupto fiveyearsfromtheyearinwhichtherepeatedinfringementwasdiscovered.

12.7Penaltieswillapplyfornon-compliancewiththeTermsandConditionsoftheScheme.

13.Appeals

In cases where non-compliance penalties are applied, applicants will be given twenty one working days after formal notificationbytheDepartment,inwhichtoreview,inwritingtotheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodand givereasonswhyanypenaltyimposedshouldnotbeapplied. Theapplicantwillbeinformedoftheoutcomeofthereview inwriting. Thisiswithoutprejudicetoanapplicant'srightsundertheAgricultureAppealsAct,2001.

14.ResponsibilityofApplicant

14.1. Itshallbetheresponsibilityoftheapplicanttofamiliarisehim/herselfwiththeTermsandConditionsoftheScheme, returncompletedformswhenrequired,andbeawareoftheconsequencesforbreachesoftheScheme.Intheevent thattheDepartmentdoesnotreceivedocuments,aSwiftpostreceiptorproofofdeliverywillberequiredasproof ofpostagefordocuments.

14.2. The approval or payment of aid under the Scheme does not imply the acceptance by the Minister of any responsibilityasregardstheobligationsundertakenbytheapplicantinthisScheme.

15.FailuretoabidebytheTermsandConditionsoftheScheme

15.1 Where,forthepurposesofobtainingpaymentunderthisScheme,theapplicant(s)knowinglymake(s)afalseor misleadingstatementorwithholdsessentialinformation,his/her/theirparticipationintheSchememaybeterminated andallorpartoftheaidpaidshallbereimbursed. TheMinisterreservestherighttooffsetsuchamountsagainst othermoniespayablebytheDepartmentunderotherschemestotheapplicantinsuchcases. TheMinisteralso reservestherighttoexcludesuchapersonfromfurtherparticipationintheSchemeforsuchperiodasshallbe determined.

15.2 WhereabeneficiaryfailstoabidebytheTermsandConditionsoftheSchemeorif thereisanymaterialchange

in thecircumstancesoftheapplicantwhichwouldbein conflictwiththeletterorthespiritoftheScheme,his/her/their participationintheSchememaybeterminatedandallorpartoftheaidpaidshallbereimbursed. The Ministeralso reservestherighttooffsetsuchamountsagainstothermoniespayable bytheDepartmenttohim/her/them.

15.3 TheobtainingofaidortheattempttoobtainaidundertheSchemebyfraudulentmeansbytheapplicant(s)orothers actingaloneortogethermayrendersuchpersonsliabletoprosecution.

15.4WhereanapplicantconspireswithotherpersonstoobtainaidundertheSchemebyfraudulentmeans,he/sheshall beexcludedfromtheScheme.

16.ReviewofFinancialAid

TheMinisterreservestherighttovarythe FinancialProvisionsunderthisScheme.

17.ForceMajeure

“Force Majeure” means circumstances which could not have been foreseen by a prudent producer and which could not be circumvented or prevented by him/her, or, if so, could only be done at unreasonable excessive cost. A claim of force majeure must be lodged in writing with the Department, along with the relevant supporting documentation, within 10 working daysoftheapplicant(s)beinginapositiontonotifythefacts of the situation which he/she feels should be considered as force majeure. The Department will decide in each case, whether the circumstances set down amount to force majeure. Thecircumstancesunderwhichforcemajeure maybeconsideredinclude(withoutprejudicetothegeneralityoftheforegoing):

•Deathofapplicant.

•Seriousillness/incapacityoftheapplicant(supportedbymedicalevidence).

•Compulsory acquisition of all or part of the agricultural holding, which was not anticipated on joining the Scheme.

•Anaturaldisaster.

•Theaccidentaldestructionoflivestockand/orfarmbuildingsontheholding.

•Anoutbreakofdiseaseaffectinganimalsontheholding,e.g.slaughterunderthe diseaseeradicationschemes.

•A Court OrderforseparationordivorceresultinginthelandsubjecttotheSchemehavingtobedividedor soldwhereasaresultthe Terms and ConditionsoftheSchemecannotbemet.

•OtherCourtOrder.

18.Procedures

TheMinistermaylaydowntheprocedurestobefollowedintheoperationofthisSchemeandreserve therighttoalter theseproceduresfromtimetotime.

19.ConditionsofApproval

EveryapprovalunderthisSchemeshallbesubjecttoconditionslaiddownbytheMinister,whichmustbecompliedwith infullbytheapplicant(s).TheMinistermayatanytimelaydownfurtherconditionsunderthisScheme,whichwillbe publishedinthefarmingpressandalsonotifiedtoeachparticipant.

20.MonitoringandEvaluation

MonitoringandevaluationoftheSchemeshallbecarriedoutbytheMinistertodeterminetheeffectivenessoftheScheme.

21.InformationandDataProtection

TheMinisterreservestherighttomakepublicinformationregardingthenumberof applicants,numberofeligibleanimals etc,andtomakeinformationavailabletootherGovernmentDepartmentsand/orAgenciesforthepurposeofimplementing Nationallegislation.

22.Interpretation

TheDepartmentmayexpandupon,explain,interpretordefinethemeaningofanyaspectoftheTermsandConditionsof theScheme.

23.SafetyduringoperationoftheScheme

ApplicantsareadvisedoftheneedtoacquaintthemselveswiththeprovisionsoftheSafety,HealthandWelfareatWork Act,2005.

24.WithdrawalfromtheScheme

AnapplicantmaywithdrawfromtheSchemefollowingthecompletionofallMeasuresandreceivepaymentforthatyear provided written notification arrives in theDepartmentindicatingwithdrawal priorto31Marchofthefollowingyear. WhereanapplicantwithdrawsfromtheSchemeduringthecourseofayearandallMeasureshavenotbeencompleted,no paymentwillbemadeforthatyear. AnapplicantwhowithdrawsfromtheSchemewillnotbere-admitted.

25.JoiningtheSchemeinthe thirdandsubsequentyears

Ifanapplicant(s)wishestojointheSchemefromthethird(2010)andsubsequentyearsasanewentrant,he/shemust lodge an application on/before 31 March 2010, on/before 31 March 2011 etc. An applicant(s) who withdrawsfromtheSchemewillnotbere-admitted.

26.Deathofapplicant

WhereanapplicantdieswithintheperiodoftheScheme,forcemajeuremaybeappliedterminatingtheagreementandno reimbursementofaidshallbesoughtinrespectofthecurrentorpreviouscontractyears,unlesstheperson(s)towhomthe holding is transferred undertakes in writing to honour the remainder of the three-year contract. Where the holding is transferredbygiftorinheritance,anapplicationundertheSchemebythenewapplicant(s)maybetakenasatransferofthe five-yearcontract. Leasesbetweenfamilymembersmaymeetthisundertaking.