A new livestock industry records system is taking more than five years longer to deliver and costing an extra £6m. Delays in implementing a new £64m system means nearly half its 12-year operating period has been lost, said the Northern Ireland Audit Office. It warned the final deadline of 2024 is under pressure after stage one of the project failed to meet its June target.The Animal Public Health Information System (APHIS) had been due to end in 2008.
The new system - the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) - records real-time information on animal movements and animal health. It is used also to provide assurance to customers and consumers and to verify applications for the Basic Payment Scheme.The system is managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).Daera staff without appropriate skills being assigned to the projectThe report acknowledges that Daera took action in response to these delays, changing leadership and pausing the project to allow a re-evaluation of the business cas