A Londonderry farmer has been fined for breaches of movement notifications.
Mr Edward Devlin (62), of Rannyglas Road, Dungiven, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday, November 18th).
He was convicted of:
- Three charges of failure to notify the movement of cattle onto his holding;
- Two charges of failure to notify the movement of cattle onto or off his holding.
Mr Devlin pleaded guilty and was fined £750 plus £15 offender levy.
The case arose, from a number of discrepancies found during a cattle identification inspection. DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch carried out the inspection.
‘Weaken and undermine’ cattle traceability system
In a statement, the Department of Agriculture, Environment, or Rural Affairs, said:
“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.”
“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).”
 has been fined for breaches of movement notifications. He appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court.){kind=link}