23Essential farm activities

23 Essential farm activities

(1) A farmer who qualifies for farm household allowance under section 8 is exempt from the activity test for a period if the Secretary is satisfied that requiring the farmer to satisfy the activity test during the period would prevent the farmer from undertaking activities that are essential to the operation of the farm. (2) The Secretary may, in writing, determine the period during which the farmer is exempt. (3) The period must not exceed 6 weeks (and must not be extended). (4) The Secretary may not exempt a farmer under this section from the activity test if, during the previous 12 months, the farmer has already been exempt under this section for 2 other periods (irrespective of the length of the periods, or whether farm household allowance was payable during the periods).