A judge has handed a fine to the tune of £1,500 to a NI farmer for an animal welfare-related offence.
Mr Bertie Herbison (73), Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, was convicted at Omagh Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
He was fined for transporting an animal that was “not fit for the journey”.
NI farmer fined
Herbison was convicted for breaching Regulations 5(1)(a) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
The case arose when he transported a cow to an abattoir in Northern Ireland.
The Official Veterinarian (OV), on duty at the abattoir, stated that the animal was not fit for transport in their professional opinion.
The matter was referred to DAERA’s Welfare and enforcement branch. It investigated, and a file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DAERA – Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, stated:
“The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.”
“Any breaches are investigated thoroughly, and offenders prosecuted as necessary.”
“The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 also requires that animals must be fit to travel and must be cared for if they fall ill or are injured during transport.”
“The animals must be accompanied by competent persons and must be transported to their destinations without undue delay.”
“All those who have animals in their care either on-farm, in transit or at slaughter have a duty of care to look after that animals’ welfare,” the spokesperson added.
Read other reports from court cases.
‘I would make the call to An Taisce to think about farmers’
Meanwhile, independent TD, Michael Healy-Rae, has condemned An Taisce’s decision to seek leave to appeal the Glanbia Belview cheese plant planning decision to the Supreme Court.
Healy-Rae believes the move “will hurt Ireland’s international reputation as a location for much sought-after Foreign Direct Investment”.
In turn, he foresees a “paralysing effect on rural communities and farmers”.
You can read more on this court story.
