15 January 2009 - Farmer sentenced at Magherafelt court

Mr Hall was sentenced in respect of two charges under the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, one charge under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972, five charges under the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, five charges under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and three charges under The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002. Mr Hall had previously been convicted of these charges on 3 March 2008.

Mr Hall was given a conditional discharge for two years. This was in addition to the five year ban from keeping animals which he received on 3 March 2008.

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Hall was convicted at Dungannon Magistrate's Court on 3 March 2008 of two charges of failing to dispose of Category 2 material, namely bovine carcases, as defined in Article 5(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, without undue delay, as required by Article 5(2) of the said Regulation contrary to Regulation 5(1) of the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
2. Mr Hall was convicted of one charge of permitting the unnecessary suffering of a bovine animal contrary to section 13(g) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
3. Mr Hall was convicted of five charges, of being the keeper of bovine animals, failed to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the movement or the death of an animal in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 8 of the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (NI) 1999, contrary to Regulation 5(1) of the said Regulations.
4. Mr Hall was convicted of two charges of, in contravention of Regulation 7 and Schedule 1 para 12 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 failed to provide pens and accommodation where there were no sharp edges, contrary to section 2(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972.
5. Mr Hall was convicted of one charge of, in contravention of Regulation 7 and Schedule 1 para 6 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 failed to isolate a bovine animal in suitable accommodation, contrary to section 2(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972.
6. Mr Hall was convicted of one charge of, in contravention of Regulation 7 and Schedule 4 para 10(2) of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 failed to provide access to a clean lying area, contrary to section 2(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972.
7. Mr Hall was convicted of one charge of, in contravention of Regulation 7 and Schedule 4 para 15(1) of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 failed to provide calves with fresh drinking water, contrary to section 2(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972.
8. Mr Hall was convicted of three charges, of being a person who had in his possession or under his charge, a notifiable animal or the carcase of a notifiable animal, failed within 24 hours from the time when the animal died or was killed, or the carcase came into his possession or charge, to notify the fact to the Department or any other person appointed by it to receive the notification on its behalf, as required by Regulation 10(1) of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 as amended by Regulation 3(1) of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 contrary to Regulation 99 of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.
9. The department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
10. Breaches of the Cattle Identification Regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland, including the integrity of the Department’s Animal & Public Health Information System (APHIS) database.
11. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.