The new version of APHIS online – Northern Ireland’s Animal and Public Health Information System – will allow farmers to make updates to their herd and flock records from their phone.
It’s the first time all of the department’s web service functions will be fully supported for use on mobile phones.
The latest version also aims to simplify the registration process and make data easier to access.
15 years of APHIS
For more than 15 years the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has offered herd keepers in Northern Ireland the opportunity to complete many transactions and view information about their herd and animals through its APHIS online service.
APHIS online provides herd keepers with access to quick transactions, which can be completed without the need for paper forms or a visit to a DAERA Direct office.
Over 8,000 herd keepers in Northern Ireland use the system to register more than 350,000 new calves online every year.
A spokesman said: “We in DAERA are committed to ensuring our services and products meet the needs and demands of the agri-food industry.
“To ensure the APHIS online application continues to provide a quality service to herd keepers, the department has reviewed and updated the current application to address the needs of our customers.”
New features include:
- New look and feel – the system online now complies with DAERA’s online design standard, matching other services such as the Single Application Form and BOVIS;
- Streamlined functionality – the registration process has been simplified, data easier to access and notifications easier to complete;
- Enhanced sire recording – keepers can now easily record additional sire information including NMR AI code, if required;
- Mobile friendly – users can now browse APHIS and use its full range of features on mobile devices.
A new support and information page is also available to assist users with any queries, so it is not anticipated that existing users will need to undergo further training.
The department is encouraging farmers to use the feedback function on the system.
Training
For farmers new to APHIS, CAFRE will be organising a limited number of training events in the new year.
The training courses will allow farmers to practise notifying animal births and deaths, moving animals and view the various reports available on APHIS.
Everyone who attends a course will be registered to use DAERA online services, which will allow them to access their own data at home after.
For further information about the APHIS updates, training courses or to register for DAERA online services: 028-9442-6699.