Agriculture Appeals Process

When a final decision issues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (i.e. after internal Department review), you will be notified of your option to appeal.

• The scheme applicant (appellant), dissatisfied with the decision, must complete a ‘Notice of Appeal' form and submit it to the Agriculture Appeals Office. .
• The Appeals Office requests from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the relevant file and a statement regarding the appellant's grounds of appeal. Your Grounds of Appeal will be forwarded to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their comments and observation.
• On receipt of the file and statement, the Director assigns the case to an Appeals Officer.
• Appellants are entitled to an oral hearing as part of their appeal.
• The Agriculture Appeals Office contacts the appellant to arrange an oral hearing if required, or if deemed necessary by the Appeals Officer.
• It is the policy of the office to discuss the appeal with the appellant. If no oral hearing takes place, the Appeals Officer will contact the appellant to discuss the appeal.
• The Appeals Officer considers all the evidence in full (including any evidence presented at an oral hearing if there was one). The Appeals Officer makes a determination on the appeal and notifies the appellant of the decision in writing, setting out the reasons for that decision. The Department will also be notified of the decision.