REPS 4: Farmers Handbook - Department of Agriculture

What do you have to do if you change crop type?
You must ensure that you don’t use more fertiliser than is allowed for the new crops you are
growing. You might want to ask your planner about this. There is no requirement to have your
plan amended, however.
What do you do if you change your farming system?
You must get your planner to amend your plan.
Can you import or export organic manures?
Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS W and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks.
Can you allow another farmer’s livestock graze on your holding?
Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS G and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. Cattle
may only be grazed for a maximum of 4 consecutive months between April 1st and October
31st.
If you are a stable owner or horse breeder and you own a minimum of 4 livestock units of horses
on average throughout the year, and maintain a minimum stocking rate of 1 horse livestock unit
per 4 hectares, the grazing of livestock is permitted throughout the period from April 1st to
October 31st. Livery businesses may take in horses throughout the year.
The grazing of sheep is permitted at any time throughout the year but not for more than 4
consecutive months.
The movement of livestock between holdings must be entered on the REPS participant’s
Herd/Flock register and must comply with the Department’s Animal Health and Welfare
requirements.
Can you avail of winter housing on another holding?
Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS H and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. But
there are some other conditions as well:
● Housing facilities must comply with REPS Specifications.
● The waste produced must be disposed of on your own holding or exported to another
REPS farm.
Can livestock belonging to another farmer be housed on your holding?
Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS H and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. But
there are some other conditions as well:
The other farmer’s stock must have separate housing facilities.
There must be separate waste storage facilities and separate air space.
The waste produced must be disposed of on the farm where the fodder comes from.
Can you leave REPS before the five-year contract is up?
If you leave REPS before your five-year contract is up, you may be asked to give back all of the
REPS payments. There are just a few exceptions to this rule. You will not be asked to give the
money back if —
● You give up farming completely, and you have done three years of your REPS contract;
● Your holding is taken over by someone who keeps it in REPS;
● You are leaving because of what is known as force majeure — this means one of the
following:
● Death;
✍ Long term professional incapacity;
✍ Expropriation (for example a Compulsory Purchase Order) of a large part of the
FAQs
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