Dairy farmers are being warned not to rely on their accountants to prepare their financials before submitting their application for the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program (DSAP).

"To receive DSAP payments dairy farmers must return their Standard Payment Right application forms to the Dairy Adjustment Authority by 17 August 2000," said DAA chairman, Mr. Patrick Musgrave.

"Some dairy farmers are waiting so that they can submit their farm business assessment (FBA) declaration at the same time," he said. "This is very risky as accountants are busy coping with the end of the financial year and GST, and it could result in those dairy farmers missing the deadline."

"The FBA does not have to be returned until February whereas the Standard Payment Right must be returned by 17 August this year."

"Any dairy farmer missing this deadline can say good bye to a payment as there is no capacity in the legislation to extend the deadline, for any reason."

"Claiming that your details are still with your accountant is no excuse. If a Standard Payment right form is not received at the DAA by 17 August you will have no chance to receive a payment – its that simple!"

"If any accountants have clients in this boat I urge them to advise their clients of the need to get that Standard Payment Right form in to us, or risk losing their entitlement!"

Mr. Musgrave said that he was aware that in some cases accountants did all the paperwork but there was no reason why dairy farmers could not fill in the forms themselves.

"If you have left it up to your accountant to do it, get on the phone right now and make sure that the Standard Payment Right application gets completed and returned in time," he said.

"Dairy farmers needing help can call their State Dairy Farmer Organisation or our Help Line on 1800 503603. We are receiving many calls about what might seem to be simple issues but that is why the Help Line is there, farmers should not feel uncomfortable about asking for help."