Mr Milton Edwards, Crewe Road, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates Court on 12 March 2008 of three charges under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972, one charge under the Cattle Identification (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and one charge under the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
Mr Edwards pleaded guilty, he was disqualified from having custody of bovine animals for five years and fined £4,500 plus £20 costs.
Mr Edwards was also given a 12 month conditional discharge in respect of three charges under the Cattle Identification (Notification of Births, Deaths and Movements) Regulations (NI) 1999, four charges under the Cattle Identification (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and one charge under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
Notes to Editors:
- Mr Edwards was convicted of three charges of causing, procuring or permitting unnecessary suffering to a bovine animal contrary to section 13(g) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
- Mr Edwards was convicted of one charge of failing to keep a herd register as required by Regulation 3(4) of the Cattle Identification (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 in accordance with the form set out in the Schedule to the said Regulations contrary to Regulation 3(1) of the Cattle Identification (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998.
- Mr Edwards was convicted of one charge of failing to dispose of Category 1 material, namely animal by-products, as defined in Article 4(1) of Community Regulations (EC) No 1774/2002 without undue delay, as required by Article 4(2) of the said Regulation, contrary to Regulation 4(1) of the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
- Mr Edwards was given a conditional discharge in respect of one charge of failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a bovine animal was kept in conditions which complied with schedule 1 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 as required by Regulation 3(2) of the said Regulations, contrary to section 2(1) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
- Mr Edwards was given a conditional discharge in respect of three charges of , 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 death of a bovine 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 Regulation.
- Mr Edwards was given a conditional discharge in respect of four charges of failing to attach approved ear tags to a bovine 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
