Sheep and goats annual inventory reminder

Keepers of sheep and goats are reminded that their Annual Inventory is now due for completion.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will be issuing an annual inventory card to flock/herd keepers this week. The inventory must be completed on a date between 1 and 5 December 2007 and returned to DARD by 5 January 2008.

The Annual Sheep and Goat Inventory return incorporates the December Survey for these species. It is therefore of vital importance that an accurate return is made by 5 January 2008.

The inventory card can be returned in the pre-paid envelope provided, or the inventory can be completed online either by the keeper or by an ear-tag supplier. If you are a keeper of both sheep and goats, you must complete separate inventory cards for each species, as each must have its own separate flock/herd registration. If you currently have no sheep or goats, please enter zeros in the boxes provided on the card. If you do not intend to keep any sheep or goats in future, please write this on the card.

The Department wishes to remind the keepers of flocks/herds that if they do not return the inventory on time they could be seen as “non-operational” on APHIS. This will prevent the ordering of tags or the movement of sheep on or off the holding, until a completed inventory is received.

If sheep or goats are being kept and the keeper has not received an inventory card, they should obtain one from their local Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO).

It is also important that details of the Annual Inventory returns are recorded in the Flock/Herd Register.

The information provided to the Department will be used for any on-farm checks, for example, Cross-Compliance inspections.

Notes to Editors:

1. Flock keepers are obliged under the Sheep and Goats Records, Identification and Movement Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 to communicate annually to DARD the total numbers of animals on the holding including the categories to which they belong (e.g. lambs), the occupation of the keeper and the type of production.
2. In addition since the Annual Sheep/Goat Inventory takes the place of the December Survey for these species, (thereby reducing red-tape and producer effort) it is doubly important that an accurate return is made within the stated time-limits.
3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.