DAERA highlights benefits of registering calves by phone

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has urged farmers to consider registering their calf births by telephone.

L-R: Kevin Dundas, DAERA Service Delivery Manager; Colin Lewis, Deputy Secretary; Ivor Ferguson, UFU; John McDermott, DAERA, IRM Project Manager; David Brown, UFU; Daryl McLaughlin, UFU, and Gerry McAloon, DAERA Customer Services Manager.

As more and more farmers realise the benefits of using APHIS Online to notify their calf births, DAERA has noticed a steady decrease over the past few years in the number of paper notifications received. However, the Department recognises that not all herd keepers have access to a computer or mobile device and therefore is encouraging those farmers who do not use APHIS Online to consider registering their calves by telephone on the MC1 Telephony System, which is operated by specifically trained DAERA Direct staff on a dedicated phone number. 

A delegation from the Ulster Farmers' Union led by President Ivor Ferguson, was able to view the MC1 Telephony System in operation on visit to Enniskillen yesterday. DAERA Deputy Secretary Colin Lewis explained that whilst paper notifications will continue to be accepted the Department felt it was important that all farmers should be given the opportunity to avail of the benefits of electronic notifications whether that is by online or telephone.

Mr Lewis said: “Like APHIS Online, the MC1 Telephony System provides herd keepers with access to quick, error free transactions, which can be completed without the need for paper forms or a visit to a DAERA Direct office. By using the Telephony System farmers will reduce the likelihood of their calves receiving late notification statuses and avoid queries around the inputting of BVD test results.”

The MC1 Telephony System is currently used by farmers to register bovine births and on-farm deaths. However, work is currently ongoing to expand the scope of the system to allow cattle purchased at a livestock market to be confirmed into the buyer’s herd by telephone. It is anticipated that this service will be available later in the year.

Farmers can access the MC1 Telephony System on 0300 200 7855, Monday to Friday (9.00am – 5.00pm). All calls are recorded and, like paper documents, securely stored should a caller wish to check or verify, at a later date, the information provided.        

Notes to editors: 

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