The Dairy Adjustment Authority (DAA) Chairman, Mr Patrick Musgrave expressed his concern that as many as 6,000 eligible dairy farmers were still to return their Farm Business Assessment (FBA) declaration and other forms.

"The Farm Business Assessment Declaration form is particularly important, as farmers must return this form prior to 19 February 2001 to remain eligible for the DSAP scheme. It would be a tragedy if farmers lose their DSAP eligibility, and therefore access their share of the $1.63 billion in payments as a result of not completing and returning this declaration form," said Mr Musgrave.

"We are still awaiting the return of the FBA form from around 1 in 5 farmers," continued Mr Musgrave, " and, in addition to farmers putting their long term eligibility at risk, the slow rate of return of the FBA and other forms is holding up the Authority's ability to make payments to many farmers".

"The DAA currently has payments pending for as many as 4,800 farmers, but the funds cannot be transferred into their bank accounts until the FBA, Commonwealth Support declaration form and Account Payment form are completed and returned to the DAA." said Mr Musgrave.

To assist in the return of these forms and declarations the DAA has initiated an outbound telephone call program, reminding farmers of the need to return these forms prior to payments being made, and where possible the DAA staff are helping the farmer complete these forms over the phone. In addition our staff are making sure that farmers are aware of the consequences of not completing and returning the FBA prior to 19 February 2001.

"The 19 February 2001 FBA deadline sounds like it is a long time away, but with Christmas and the New Year nearly upon us, and the next Business Activity Statement due shortly, farmers may easily overlook completing and returning these forms," said Mr Musgrave, "The Authority wants all eligible dairy farmers to receive their DSAP benefits, and I repeat that it would be tragic if any farmer became ineligible for DSAP payments because of a failure to complete the paperwork".

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Contact: Ian Harvey Ph: 03 9507 2315