The Dairy Adjustment Authority (DAA) has approved $1.46 billion of the estimated $1.63 billion, for payment to dairy farmers throughout Australia over the next 8 years, under the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program (DSAP).

"As at 31 December 2000, the DAA had approved payment rights to 26,256 dairy farmers with a face value of $1.46 billion, which is nearly 90 percent of the total funds to be paid under the Scheme", said Dairy Adjustment Authority Chairman, Patrick Musgrave.

"Given the timeframe allowed for the receipt and processing of claims, and the need to further develop the computer processing system throughout the claims processing period, this is an excellent result achieved by the DAA staff", Mr Musgrave said.

Processing of the remainder is ongoing and is expected to continue into February, although many of these may not be resolved quickly because they are still the subject of legal proceedings.

There are also quite a number of farmers, who despite having their claim approved, cannot be paid their entitlement as they have still not returned their Farm Business Assessment declaration form.

Mr Musgrave said, "It is essential that these dairy farmers return their FBA declaration forms to reach the DAA by 19 February 2001, otherwise they will become ineligible to receive their entitlement."

"We know that some dairy farmers have left it up to their accountants and financial advisers to return the form", Mr Musgrave said. "I strongly urge anyone who is in this situation to confirm with both their adviser and the DAA that the declaration form has been returned."

"February 19 is not that far away and it would be a shame if even one dairy farmer missed out simply because they thought the form had been returned, when in fact it hadn't."

The DAA is currently writing to every dairy farmer for whom they have no FBA declaration form, reminding them that the form must be received at the DAA by 19 February this year.

ENDS

Further information: Mal Rowe

Telephone 03 9416 4002