Animal Inventory Returns

The Sheep & Goats (Records, Identification and Movements) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

The Annual Sheep and Goat inventories are now due for completion. This year, the inventories are being collected via a survey tool called Blaise, which incorporates additional functionalities requested by farmers in recent years.  While we will be collecting the same information as in previous years, you may notice some differences:

• The unique code required to access the survey is now 12 digits long and must be entered as provided. N.B. This is not case sensitive.
• Your progress will be saved, allowing you to resume the survey from where you left off if you need to pause for any reason.
• Upon submission, you will also have the option to save or print a copy of your responses for your record.

The completion of an inventory is required by law. You are required to provide details of sheep and goats on your holding between 1st and 5th December 2025 and submit an inventory return to DAERA by 30th December 2025 using one of the options below.

There are 2 online options available for submitting your Inventory return to DAERA:

Option 1

If you are registered to use NOL (previously APHIS online), you should login and submit your inventory using this service.

Please note, Aphis Online is no longer available on the DAERA Online Services portal. All users should now use the new NOL system. To access NOL, users should go to the web address below and sign in either through Government Gateway or NIDA service.

https://www2.daera-ni.gov.uk/AuthWeb/auth/login/NifaisOnline/2

Option 2

You can use the relevant Blaise survey link below

If you are registered with DAERA as a keeper of sheep or goats, you should have received a letter containing a unique code. To use the Blaise survey links below, you will need this code along with your flock number to complete your Inventory. (If you are completing your inventory using APHIS Online (AOL), the unique code will not be required).

To complete your Sheep Inventory using the Sheep Blaise survey, enter your flock number and the unique code from your letter at https://surveys.nisra.gov.uk/sheepinventory2025.

To complete your Goat Inventory using the Goat Blaise survey, enter your herd number and the unique code from your letter at https://surveys.nisra.gov.uk/Goatinventory2025.

If you keep both sheep and goats, you must make a separate return for each species.

You must also record the details of the inventory in your on-farm Flock / Herd Register. Failure to do so may result in a financial penalty being applied to your direct agricultural support payment if your flock or herd is selected for a Cross-Compliance or Sheep / Goats’ Identification Inspection. You should also be aware that if you fail to submit your Annual Inventory, this will increase the possibility of your flock or herd being selected for an Identification Inspection.

If you have any difficulty submitting your return online or wish to get assistance please call your local DAERA Direct Office at 0300 200 7840 or email DAERAsurveys@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Further Contacts

Once your Inventory returns are completed we will validate the information and may follow up with a call to confirm some details.