The annual animal inventories will be completed entirely online this year due to Covid-19, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced.

Over the past few days, sheep, goat, bird, and pig keepers will have received inventory letters from the department. The inventories must be completed by December 30, 2020.

‘No more than 5 minutes to complete’

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots said: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic it is not possible to collect and process large volumes of inventory cards.

Farmers are still required to submit their annual animal inventory details to the department, but, this year, the information will be collected entirely online and a new facility has been developed by the department for this purpose.

“Many farmers are already under significant pressure and using this new facility, completion of inventories should take no more than five minutes, making the inventories quicker and easier than ever to complete.

“For those who are unable to use the online facilities a backup telephone facility will be available.”