DEFRA Annual Sheep and Goat Survey (now compulsory on-line)

[JP1]

For my sheep farmer friends who've just had the Annual Survey demand (online now) from DEFRA, I penned this in the comments section:

"Every year I comment on how aggressive and officiously this Annual Survey is written. Every year it gets worse. I PRESUME the Secretary of State actually reads these communications and therefore (she) tacitly approves?

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer can "sell" in the implications of tax expenditure categories, I think DEFRA officials should do a better job of explaining WHY this is a big must?

1. Is it an EU directive and you're plain scared stiff of national penalties for non-compliance (note we still do not have signed off accounts for the EU or know how many olive trees there are - and I am a believer in a modern Europe)
2. Is it a cross compliance check tool?
3. Do the statistics actually help you learn anything? From the scant information returned, I don't see how they can; except informing the slaughter sector of anticipated numbers of lambs forward next year

I am sure you may well have a good few non-cooperators for this annual survey but to write in such an officious manner doubtless really ticks the many good, honest folks off.

Why not publish a brief resume of findings and a thank you from the Minister as an on-line communication in the New Year. She has my email address and mobile 'phone number after all; can I have her's?

Kind regards

Jeremy Perkins"

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I was going to say this is the first time that I can remember that I haven't been asked to do this, but then remembered the last few times I have received reminders for not doing it when not asked to do it in the first place!

 

[Paddington]

It's not compulsory to do online, just popped mine in the pre paid envelope.

 

[JP1]

It's not compulsory to do online, just popped mine in the pre paid envelope.

If you registered for ARAMS, they don't send you a paper copy any more. I have not had my paper version only on-line. It's the tone I object to - as I did with previous paper copies

 

[Gatehouse Farm]

Every year I get a reminder to do it. Would be easy to do if they actually sent me it in the first place

 

[Princess Pooper]

Our paper copy arrived yesterday was wondering when we'd hear from them. Sheep are bro-in-law's dept and he doesn't do digital so it's about the only form gets done manually now (and all his movement licences?.

 

[JP1]

This is the text in the email:

Dear Sir/Madam

This is your online Annual Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2014. You have been sent this as you are registered with us as a keeper of sheep or goats.

It is an offence under law not to submit your Annual Inventory. Failure to submit your inventory will increase your chance of cross compliance inspection in future years.

It is also a legal requirement to tell us if you no longer keep any sheep or goats so you still need to return your inventory so we can amend our records.

What you need to do: You should complete the inventory online here.

For further details about the inventory and answers to frequently asked questions please read this Sheep and Goats Inventory Information.

Please submit your return within 2 weeks to ensure we don’t send you a reminder at a later date.

Where do I go for help? If you are having trouble completing the inventory or would prefer a paper form then please contact our helpline on 01904 455284 (Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm) or email: [email protected].

For information: From last spring a new electronic movement reporting system was introduced for sheep, goats and deer. Please see Reporting sheep and goat movements on the Gov.UK website for further details and for information on important changes to the rules on sheep tagging and recording and reporting movements from 2015.

Kind regards
Defra Surveys Team

 

[Sussex Martin]

I Havn't received anything yet?

 

[willdevon]

Look on the bright side, at least you don't have to be the guinea pigs to use the new gov.verify portal.......

 

[Gulli]

I Havn't received anything yet?

Check your junk emails mine came on Friday, only looked for it because of this thread.
Didn't even email it to me last year phoned them up and the email they had for me wasn't even close to my one.
Also, websites down atm so can't even fill the thing in!

 

[Paddington]

I'm registered with ARAMS but still got a paper survey, perhaps they just wanted my autograph?

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

If you registered for ARAMS, they don't send you a paper copy any more. I have not had my paper version only on-line. It's the tone I object to - as I did with previous paper copies

They still sent me a paper copy and I was registered with ARAMS!

Last year though I ran out of lines to fill in when I did it online and had to ask for a paper version to fill in the rest!!!
It will be interesting to see if there are more lines this year.

I totally agree with JP1 that the information is completely irrelevant, it does not even give an idea of how many lambs there are left to be sold or how many cull ewes on farms.
Yes it asks for how many will be tupped but that could be misleading depending on how many ewe lambs are in that number.

This is a potential opportunity to give good market information that could be more reliable than the present census figures!

 

[Gatehouse Farm]

I might be being a bit thick but here goes. This will be the first year that I've got sheep out at keep. Do I still have to include them on the inventory even though they are not on my holding on the 1st?

 

[JP1]

I might be being a bit thick but here goes. This will be the first year that I've got sheep out at keep. Do I still have to include them on the inventory even though they are not on my holding on the 1st?

I think if you're the keeper you have to enter each holding inventory

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I might be being a bit thick but here goes. This will be the first year that I've got sheep out at keep. Do I still have to include them on the inventory even though they are not on my holding on the 1st?

JP1 is correct, it is important that you remain the keeper on animals at keep or you have to individually record the EID's in and out!!!

 

[romneymarsh]

Found mine in junk mail.

 

[Sussex Martin]

Check your junk emails mine came on Friday, only looked for it because of this thread.
Didn't even email it to me last year phoned them up and the email they had for me wasn't even close to my one.
Also, websites down atm so can't even fill the thing in!

No email or paper copy yet, should I get in touch with someone?

 

[llamedos]

contact details
01904 455284 for helpline
or complete online https://defra.htkhorizon.com.sag2014

 

[Bev]

I deleted mine, it came into junk mail so I binned it!

 

[Mad Farmer]

done mine. found it very easy.