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HomeFarming NewsFarmer (61) in court over cattle movement breaches
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Farmer (61) in court over cattle movement breaches

A 61-year-old farmer has appeared in court over cattle movement breaches.

Mr David Lee, Carrickaness Road, Dungannon, went before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 7th, 2022.

He was convicted of:

  • Six charges of failure to notify the movement of 18 cattle onto his holding;
  • Four charges of failure to notify the movement of 22 cattle off his holding.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 plus a £15 offender levy.

The case arose from several discrepancies found during a cattle identification inspection DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch carried out.

Following this inspection, an administrative check found that he had not submitted the movement notifications of a “large number” of cattle within the statutory time limit of seven days.

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According to a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, breaches of the cattle identification regulations “weaken and undermine” the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland.

The spokesperson said this includes 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.”

Cattle movements, notified to the Department, are recorded on 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),” the spokesperson concluded.

More farming/court news: Farmer fined for transporting cow to factory with swollen leg

Meanwhile, earlier this week, That’s Farming reported that a farmer came before the courts after transporting an emaciated cow to a factory.

Brian Cullen (52) of Annvale Road, Keady, Armagh, appeared before Newry Magistrates Court on Monday, February 7th, 2022.

He was convicted of:

  • One charge of transporting or causing the transport of an animal not fit for the journey;
  • One charge of causing unnecessary suffering.

The judge ordered the farmer to pay £500 plus a £15 offender levy.

The case came to light when the cow was transported to an abattoir in Northern Ireland for slaughter.

Read this in full.

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