Dairy farmer rush may prove too late

The rush to return forms for the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program may prove too late for many dairy farmers.

While daily returns have increased by more than 100%, this may still not be fast enough to ensure that all dairy farmers are in the system before the cut-off date of 17 August 2000.

"As of last Friday, most States still had about 70% of forms outstanding. South Australia has the best return rate with 55% of forms yet to be returned," said DAA Chairman, Patrick Musgrave.

"Unless we get the forms coming in at a much faster rate, it is clear that many dairy farmers will simply not meet the deadline."

"Apart from simple tardiness, it seems there are a number of possible reasons for this ranging from dairy farmers thinking it does not apply to them through to others who are having difficulty filling in the form," he said.

"Let me reinforce that all dairy farmers should apply; their eligibility for a payment will be determined when we process the applications. But, if their form is not here by the deadline it cannot be processed – no form, no money, it's that simple."

"If any dairy farmer is having trouble with the form then I urge them to ask for help. Ring our Help Line on 1800 503 603 or talk to your Dairy Farmer Organisation, your Factory or your Department of Agriculture. All of these organisations are bending over to help get dairy farmers to register their application before the deadline."

"Don't wait for your Farm Business Assessment (FBA) either. The FBA declaration is not due until next year, if your application form is not here on time, the FBA will be useless."

"Also, anyone who has put their form into their accountant or financial adviser expecting them to do the assessment better get on the phone right away and make sure that the Standard Payment Right application form is completed and returned, now!"

"There are no excuses, if the forms aren't here by 17 August they will not be processed."

Many dairy farmers have been seeking confirmation that their form has been received.

"Due to the complexity required to ensure accuracy in the processing system, it takes almost fifteen days from receipt of your form to sending an acknowledgement. As of today, we will be ringing everyone to acknowledge receipt as we receive the forms."