11 March 2008 - Farmer jailed at Dungannon Magistrates' court

Mr David Reid, Tannaghlane Road, Caledon, Co Tyrone was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on 10 March 2008 of five charges under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972, one charge under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, four charges under the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, four charges under the Cattle Identification (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and five charges under the Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004.

Mr Reid pleaded guilty and was given a two month jail sentence and disqualified from having custody of any animal for five years, with immediate effect. He was also fined £1,800 and £10 costs.

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Reid was convicted of one charge of causing, procuring or permitting the causing of unnecessary suffering of a bovine animal contrary to section 13(g) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
2. Mr Reid was convicted of four charges of permitting livestock, namely sheep to suffer pain or distress of which he would have been reasonably expected to know contrary to section 1(1) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
3. Mr Reid was convicted of one charge of failure to comply with the requirements of a notice served on him under Regulation 11 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 contrary to Regulation 13(1)(b) of the said Regulations.
4. Mr Reid was convicted of four charges of being the keeper of bovine animals, in contravention of Article 7.1 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 and Article 6.3 Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2629/97 failed to notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the birth of a bovine animal on his holding in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 6(1) of the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (NI) 1999, or the movement of the said animal on to his holding as required by Regulation 7(1) of the said Regulations, contrary to Regulation 5(1) of the said Regulations.
5. Mr Reid was convicted of four charges of, being the keeper of bovine animals, failed to attach approved ear tags to an animal in accordance with Regulation 3(3) of the Cattle Identification (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 contrary to Regulation 3(5) of the said Regulations.
6. Mr Reid was convicted of five charges of, in contravention of Regulation 6 of the Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005, imported a bovine animal which was subject to a Directive or other measure listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004, otherwise than in compliance with the provisions of the said Schedule, contrary to Regulation 25 of the said Regulations.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.