2022 Sheep and Goat census forms posted to keepers

Annual sheep and goat census forms have issued to over 48,000 sheep and goat keepers registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

In keeping with previous years, the department has selected Saturday 31 December as the 2022 census date. Keepers should be aware that completion and return of the census is a legal obligation. Keepers are also required to record their census data on their flock registers. Failure to return a completed form on time could impact on eligibility for certain DAFM schemes.

While postal returns will be accepted up to and including 31 January 2023, the department is encouraging keepers to return their census data online via agfood.ie. An extended deadline of 14 February 2023 applies to online returns only.

Completed forms returned by post must arrive at the address printed on the envelope provided with the census form no later than 31 January 2023. It is not permitted to submit forms by post through any office of the department.

Online 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 online census facility include:

• an extended closing date - to 14 February 2023 - for receipt of online census returns only
• the facility to view census history
• peace of mind that 2022 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 online through the Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system

Keepers who are not already registered on agfood.ie can do so by logging on to agfood.ie and clicking the option to ‘Register’. When using online services for the first time, for security reasons, keepers must allow sufficient time for their personal login details to be sent to them by post after they register. These details will be required for secure connection to the AIM database to submit census data.

Keepers intending to use agfood.ie for the first time should start the registration process early to ensure that they receive their login details in time to submit their census information online by 14 February 2023.

A step-by-step guide to completing the Census online is provided on the back of the 2022 Census form.

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. Postal certificates or express post receipts are not acceptable as proof of postage.

Online completion of the 2022 census will remain an option until end-November 2023. 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 2022 census data submitted in paper form after 31 January 2023 or online after 14 February 2023 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 department and other organisations involved in the development of the industry. For individual farmers, submission of a completed Census is central in declaring that required stocking rates are being maintained and facilitates the drawing down of payments under schemes such as the Sheep Improvement Scheme, Basic Payment Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, AEOS, GLAS. 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.

Copies of the 2022 Sheep and Goat Census forms issued are attached below.