Farmer (61) in court for livestock movement violation
A 61-year-old farmer appeared in court for a livestock movement violation.
Mr David Lee, Carrickaness Road, Dungannon, appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday February 7and2022.
He was convicted for:
- Six counts of failing to notify the movement of 18 cattle on his farm;
- Four counts of failing to notify the movement of 22 cattle off his farm.
He pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 plus a £15 royalty.
The case arose out of several anomalies found during a livestock identification inspection carried out by DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch.
Following this inspection, an administrative check revealed that he had not submitted movement declarations for a “large number” of cattle within the legal seven-day deadline.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, breaches of livestock identification regulations are “weakening and undermining” the livestock traceability system in Northern Ireland.
The spokesperson said this includes the “integrity” of the ministry’s Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS).
“The current interest in food safety from government and consumer groups means it is essential that the department is clearly seen to be implementing all laws relating to livestock traceability.”
Livestock movements notified to the Department are recorded in the APHIS database.
“The provision, within legal limits or upon request, of complete and timely information regarding cattle in the herd, to the Department, is fundamental to the credibility and integrity of the Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS) of the Department,” the spokesperson concluded. .
More farming/yard news: Farmer fined for transporting cow to factory with swollen leg
Meanwhile, earlier this week, It’s farming reported that a farmer appeared in court after transporting an emaciated cow to a factory.
Brian Cullen (52) of Annvale Road, Keady, Armagh appeared at Newry Magistrates Court on Monday February 7and2022.
He was convicted for:
- A charge of transporting or causing to be transported an animal unfit for travel;
- An accusation of having caused unnecessary suffering.
The judge ordered the farmer to pay £500 plus a £15 offenders fee.
The case came to light when the cow was taken to a slaughterhouse in Northern Ireland for slaughter.
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