Stage Two of NI Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) set to go live next week
Date published:
The latest stage of the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) is set to go live on Monday 6 October 2025.
NIFAIS is a key traceability and disease control system that underpins the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. Stage One, for cattle, went live in September 2023 and on Monday 6 October all remaining species, including pigs, sheep and poultry, will move to NIFAIS.
To facilitate the migration of data from the current Animal Public Health Information System (APHIS) to NIFAIS, both systems need to be taken offline for all users from 4.00pm on Saturday 4 October. Market operators need to ensure all animals are moved into markets prior to this time and exports scheduled for the Saturday evening will need to have all paperwork generated in advance of this deadline. Markets, abattoirs and exporters will be granted limited access to NIFAIS on Sunday 5 October to allow processing of urgent moves.
NIFAIS On-Line, for farmers, will be unavailable until NIFAIS services come online from Monday 6th October.
NIFAIS Stage Two go-live will be dependent on successful data migration and testing over the weekend of 4 and 5 October. External stakeholders will be kept up to date with progress over the weekend and, if there are issues that prevent NIFAIS Stage Two being deployed, NIFAIS Stage One and APHIS will be available as usual to all stakeholders from 6.00am on Monday 6 October.
This is a once in a generation change and NIFAIS users should be aware that all has been done to minimise disruption while ensuring the integrity of our farmed animal traceability systems.
Please direct any queries through your local DAERA Direct Office on 0300 200 7840 and ask to be put through to Customer Service Branch or email: [email protected]
