Farmers who may have appeals to make on decisions by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have been advised to get their appeals in, rather than waiting for the new Agricultural Appeals Review Panel to begin its work.
The Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by both houses of the Oireachtas last month.
The bill will provide for the establishment of a new statutory body, to be known as the Agriculture Appeals Review Panel.
This panel will take on the role of conducting reviews of agriculture appeals decisions made by the Agricultural Appeals Office, which is a role currently assigned to the director of agriculture appeals.
Officials from the Agricultural Appeals Office held a meeting this week with Alice Doyle, the deputy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
According to Doyle, the appeals office advised that farmers who may be holding off in making appeals until the new panel comes into effect should make the appeal sooner rather than later.
Speaking today (Tuesday, November 26), Doyle said: “We had a very open, positive and constructive meeting this week and committed to keeping our lines of communication open, particularly as the independent Agricultural Appeals Review Panel kicks into operation, likely in early 2025, after the new government is formed.
“We emphasised the importance of swift implementation of the Agricultural Appeals Review Panel, and the need for solid, practical farmer representation, given the growing complexity of individual schemes, and also for its remit to be extended significantly.”
According to Doyle, the number of appeals coming through the office at the moment is “probably lower than expected”.
“It may well be that farmers are holding off until the new appeals panel is in place, but the key message we got was to get your appeals in sooner rather than later. Don’t wait and miss your opportunity,” Doyle said.
Doyle said that the appeals office, at present, is turning around cases within four months unless they are particularly complex cases, and are siding with the farmer in 35% to 40% of cases.
“You have nothing to lose by putting in an appeal, and you can do it online now as well as in paper format if you wish.
“We raised many of our key concerns, particularly the complexity of schemes, including the role of third parties,” Doyle said.
The meeting also addressed concerns over the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), and the Shannon Callows Fodder Compensation Scheme.