The launch of the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) and the prospect of the payment being revised up to €13 per ewe is being welcomed by farmers.

There are farmer questions, as always in the wake of a new scheme, with a high percentage of these relating to the footbathing action and the prohibition of copper and zinc sulphate for this action. These questions and a number of others in the scheme’s frequently asked questions guide are answered below.

If I am a participant in the sheep welfare scheme does that mean I can no longer use zinc sulphate?

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No, the use of copper and zinc sulphate is not prohibited for every farmer who applies to the NSWS. Its use only relates to farmers who select the footbathing action. For such farmers a registered biocidal product must be used at least twice in the course of footbathing over the period from 1 April 2026 to 13 October 2026 or 24 November 2026 for farmers who opt for the later completion date. There must be a minimum of two weeks between the footbathing events.

Is there a list of approved biocidal products that are approved for use under the scheme that I can follow?

No, there is no approved list of biocidal products detailing only products eligible for inclusion under the scheme. There are two lists of registered biocidal products but these are extensive lists that extend beyond footbathing products. One list can be found at https://publicapps.agriculture.gov.ie/prs/home while the second list can be found at https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/biocidal-products.

Footbathing products are included in ‘Product Type 3’ only. The most straightforward approach to ensure the product you are purchasing is approved is to ask the retailer selling the product.

The Department also advises that “detailed or specific queries you may have on the biocide register and/or products for the footbathing action can be emailed directly to biocides@agriculture.gov.ie”.

Is it possible to change 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) Actions after they have been selected?

The actions chosen when applying to join the scheme must be adhered to by the applicant. It is not possible to changes actions once chosen, except in exceptional or duly justified cases.

What if I didn’t return a sheep census in some of the years – can I still apply?

The 2025 sheep census should have been submitted by 15 February 2026. If no 2025 sheep census has been submitted by that date, you will not be eligible for the scheme.

Can yearling hogget’s contribute to maintaining the payable number of breeding ewes?

Yes, it is the same definition as per AIM census whereby a breeding sheep is defined as a female sheep over 12 months of age. The chosen actions in the 2026 NSWS scheme must be fully carried out on the payable number of breeding ewes entered in the scheme.

I usually sell/cull ewes in May post-weaning and purchase replacement hoggets/ewes in August as it suits my system to stay within nitrates limits. I will have the required number of breeding ewes for shearing, clostridial disease vaccination and plunge dipping so compliance there is satisfied. Do I have to hold on to the cull ewes until I buy replacements?

No, for the NSWS you do not have to hold onto your breeding ewes for the duration of the scheme year. You must complete the scheme action record sheets provided by the Department and retain all receipts / invoices and other evidence to ensure actions selected were carried out in the time frame and on the number of breeding ewes you selected as your payable number on the application.

I wish to select the option of disease vaccination on my lambs. My payable number is 80 and I have 146 lambs. Do I have to vaccinate all 146 lambs, or will 80 lambs vaccinated satisfy scheme requirements?

The action must be carried out on all lambs of your scheme payable number of breeding ewes selected by the farmer as their payable number at application stage – see more in terms and conditions. So in the example above, the commitment is to vaccinate the 146 lambs.

I dip my breeding ewes every year on my brother’s farm. Can I continue to do so under the scheme?

This is not an issue as long as if inspected the Department can verify that the tank on your brother’s farm exists and proof of purchases of the dip product is available and the action was carried out in compliance with the terms and conditions and on the number of breeding ewes selected as your payable number on the application.

If my neighbour shears my sheep for free, what evidence do I need that the action has taken place?

If there is no contractor receipt, you need a receipt for the sale of the wool. In the scenario outlined above this is acceptable where a) there is evidence that the ewes have been shorn and they are verified by the Inspector on the ground (OTSC) and/or b) timestamped photos of the shorn ewes have been submitted (desk check).

The terms and conditions state that “if shearing has been carried out by the applicant, a photograph of the shorn sheep will be required.

“If wool has not been sold to a wool merchant, a photograph of the wool on the holding will be required”.