Mr Patrick Tiernan, Tievecrum Road, Forkhill, Newry was convicted today at Newry Magistrates’ Court of one charge of failure to notify the births or movement of seven animals onto his holding and one charge of failure to dispose of a carcase.
Mr Tiernan pleaded guilty and was fined £1,250 plus £15 offenders levy.
These offences came to light during an inspection of Mr Tiernan’s farm by Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch.
Mr Tiernan was convicted of one charge of, being the keeper of bovine animals, in contravention of Article 7.1 of the Council Regulations (EC) No 1760/2000 and Article 6.3 of the Commission Regulations (EC) No 2629/97, failed to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the birth of seven calves, or their movement on to his holding, in accordance with the provisions of Regulations 6 and 7 of the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, contrary to Regulation 5(1) of the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.
He was convicted of one charge of, being a person to whom an animal by-product requirement applied, in contravention of Regulation 6 of the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011, failed to hold a carcase or part of a carcase of any farmed animal that had not been slaughtered for human consumption, pending consignment or disposal, in accordance with the EU Control Regulations as read with the EU Implementing Regulations, in such a manner as to ensure that any animal or bird would not have access to it, contrary to Regulation 17 of the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Breaches of the Cattle Identification Regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland, including the integrity of the Departments 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.
It would be regarded as good practice, as well as being a legal requirement under the EU Control Regulations, to remove without delay an animal carcase from a farm to prevent spread of disease and protect public health and avoid detrimental effects to the environment.
