04 March 2008 - Farmer banned at Dungannon Magistrates' court

Mr William James Hall, Killybracken Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates Court on 3 March 2008 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 pleaded guilty and was banned from keeping livestock for five years. Sentencing was deferred until September.

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Hall was convicted of two charges of failing to dispose of Category 2 material, namely bovine carcasses, 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, failing 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 failing 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 failing 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 failing 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 your 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.