2023 Sheep and Goat census forms on the way

December 31 selected as census date

Annual sheep and goat census forms have issued to over 49,000 sheep and goat keepers registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

In keeping with previous years, the department has selected Sunday, December 31, as the 2023 census date. Keepers should be aware that completion and return of the census is a legal obligation. Keepers are also required to record the census data on their flock registers. Failure to return a completed form on time could impact on eligibility for certain DAFM schemes.

Postal returns will continue to be accepted up to January 31, 2024. However, the Department is encouraging keepers to return their census data online via agfood.ie or digitally through the new AIM Services mobile app that can be downloaded to a mobile device and can be accessed using the keeper’s agfood.ie username and password. An extended deadline of February 14, 2024 applies to returns submitted online or via the app only. Completed forms returned by post must arrive at the address printed on the envelope provided with the census form no later than January 31, 2024. It is not permitted to submit forms by post through any office of the Department.

Online and app submission of the annual sheep and goat census information is straightforward and provides real-time confirmation when census information has been submitted successfully. The benefits of using the on-line census facility include:

- an extended closing date - to February 14, 2024 - for receipt of on-line and app census returns only;

- the facility to view census history via agfood.ie;

- peace of mind that 2023 census details have been submitted successfully;

- no additional inconvenience or costs associated with registering a postal return.

Sheep keepers registered for online services can order books of sheep dispatch/movement documents on-line through the Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system.

With regard to postal returns, the onus remains with the flock/herd keeper to make sure that completed census forms are received on time. Keepers should be aware that, in the case of dispute regarding postal returns, the only acceptable proof of postage is a Registered Post receipt.

Completion of the 2023 census both online and through the mobile app will remain an option until end-November 2024. Returns after that date must be submitted in paper form to the Department’s office in Backweston, Co Kildare. However, it should be stressed that 2023 census data submitted in paper form after January 31, 2024, or online/ through the app after February 14, 2024, will be considered to be late. Late submission of sheep and goat census information may have implications for eligibility for certain DAFM schemes.

The sheep and goat censuses provide valuable statistical information to the fepartment and other organisations involved in the development of the industry. For individual farmers, submission of a completed Census is central in determining stocking rates and facilitates the drawing down of payments under schemes such as the Sheep Welfare Scheme, Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) etc. Failure to return the census on time may also impact on other future related payments from this Department.

Census information is further used during farm/flock inspections where the inspector has details of the census returns submitted for the holding in the last number of years. This information is used as the basis for identifying whether animal records have been adequately maintained through the keeper flock register.

Minister McConalogue thanks sheep and goat keepers for their ongoing engagement with the census process, where response rates of some 90% are generally achieved. He looks forward to similar engagement with the 2023 processes.