Cookies
Small files (known as ’cookies’) are put onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site.
Cookies are used to:
- measure how you use the website so it can be updated and improved based on your needs
- remember the notifications you’ve seen so that you’re not shown them again
DAERA cookies aren’t used to identify you personally.
You’ll normally see a message on the site before a cookie is stored on your computer.
Find out more about how to manage cookies (opens in a new window).
How our cookies are used
Measuring website usage (Google Analytics)
Google Analytics software collects information about how you use the site. This is done to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help make improvements.
Google Analytics stores information about:
- the pages you visit - how long you spend on each page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
We don’t collect or store your personal information (eg your name or address) so this information can’t be used to identify who you are.
Google isn’t allowed to use or share our analytics data.
The following cookies are used:
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | This helps us to distinguish users of Beef Sustainability Package, so we can make the site better. | 2 years |
| _ga_N02E16BF17 | Used to persist session state. | 2 years |
Essential cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function correctly.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| bss_s | Stores session data | When you close your browser |
| bss_a{Cn} |
Authentication cookies. Cookie may be split into multiple cookies e.g.
|
1 hour |
| bss_f | Use to protect the communication between the user’s browser and the server. | When you close your browser |
| bss_t | Stores temporary data between page requests | When the page has been rendered |
Cookie consent
You will see a cookie consent banner when you first visit. A cookie is stored so that your computer knows you’ve answered it and knows not to ask again.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| bss_c | Saves your cookie consent preferences | 1 Year |
Other DAERA services
Other DAERA services may set additional cookies and, if so, will have their own cookies policy.
Other government services
Most services we link to are run either by different government departments, for example Government Gateway or the Northern Ireland Direct Access. These services may set additional cookies and, if so, will have their own cookies policy.