"I must admit, we’ve been anxious that dairy farmers were not grasping the finality of the 17 August 2000 deadline", DAA Board Member Mr Terry O’Callaghan said. "But it seems now that most people have got the message and are returning their forms at the last minute."

"We’re pleased that the last few days has seen a significant increase in the number of forms returned each day."

"Processing is well on track and we are now telephoning applicants as soon as we receive their forms. They will also receive a written acknowledgment once their forms are keyed into the database."

Earlier delays experienced in mailing out written acknowledgments are being addressed and staff are working around the clock to get the written acknowledgments up to date.

"Interestingly, the accuracy of information provided on the forms is becoming an issue", said Mr O’Callaghan. "Early analysis is showing that nearly 30 percent of the forms have been filled in incorrectly.

"In most cases it is simply a matter of putting information in the wrong box. But in some cases, signatures are missing, or there is conflicting information from different applicants referring to the same dairy enterprise."

"We will be contacting these producers to verify and correct the information over the next month", he said. "We already have the systems set up to allow this to happen."

At close of business on Wednesday 10 August 2000, a total of 13,011 forms had arrived at the DAA’s offices, well on track to meet the DAA’s expected return target of 15,000.

Dairy farmers wishing to confirm the arrival of their forms or who have other questions to ask, should call the DAA Help Line on 1800 503 603.

The deadline for applications is 17 August 2000 and there can be no extension to this date.