Flock register requirement for 2002 to be made easier for sheep farmers

THE controversial reconciliation element of the sheep flock register for 2002 is being simplified, the Department of Agriculture and Food has informed the National Hill Farmers Association in a letter.

As a result of feedback from flockowners and via farmer representative bodies, it acknowledged that a full reconciliation with the flock register might be difficult for some farmers given the fact that the group approach to the recording of details in the register had been agreed.

To tackle this problem, it has now been decided that the reconciliation for 2002 should be, in effect, a census of the flock.