Farmer convicted for animal movement offences

A farmer, was today (Wednesday, May 19^th) convicted at court for animal movement offences.

Mr Martin Joseph Doherty (52), of 350 Seacoast Road, Limavady, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court.

Animal movement offences: 

• Three charges of failure to notify the movement or birth of cattle onto his premises;
• Six charges of failure to notify the movement of cattle off his premises.

Mr Doherty pleaded guilty and was fined £450 plus £15 offender levy.

The case arose from a cattle identification inspection of Mr Doherty’s herd by officers from DAERA’s welfare and enforcement branch.

Law

Births must be notified to DAERA within seven days of identification or before movement off the holding, whichever is the earlier.

Calves must be identified (a) within 36 hours of birth in the case of a dairy herd or (b) within 20 days of birth in herds other than dairy herds.

DAERA said it is important that births are reported correctly/promptly as it enables it to keep an accurate and up to date record of the animals in the herd-keepers’ herds. Also, it is a means to detect potential welfare problems and disease issues.

Cattle movements, notified to the Department, are recorded on to the APHIS database. “The provision, within statutory limits or upon request, of complete and timely information concerning cattle in the herd, to the Department, is fundamental to the credibility and integrity of the Department’s Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS).”

“Breaches of the Cattle Identification Regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland, including the integrity of the Department’s Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS).”

“The current interest in food safety by both government and consumer groups means it is essential that the department is clearly seen to be implementing all legislation pertaining to the traceability of livestock.”