A County Tyrone farmer and his son have become the first people to be convicted of TB fraud in Northern Ireland.
The father and son were convicted on a total of ten charges connected to TB fraud, animal welfare and cattle identification.
Mark Girvan, 47, from Pomeroy, was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates' Court of one charge of dishonestly making a false representation at a TB test in respect of 14 cattle.
He was also convicted of two charges of trying to affect the results of a TB test, one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to 14 cattle, one charge of failing to present animals for TB testing and two charges of failing to notify Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) of the births of bovine animals.
The farmer received a 12 months custodial sentence suspended for two years and was fined £200 plus £15 offenders levy.
He was also disqualified from keeping all animals except a family pet for a period of 10 years.
His son Anthony Girvan was convicted at the same court of one charge of failing to present animals for TB testing and two charges of failing to notify the department of the births of bovine animals. He was fined £450 plus £15 Offenders levy.
'Undermines confidence'
This case arose from discrepancies found during a tuberculosis test and a follow up investigation carried out by officers from DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch.
In a statement DAERA said: "Interfering with the results of a TB test undermines the confidence of the general public in the honesty of the farming community and is misrepresentative of the majority of farmers who are affected by disease at this time."
In 2017/2018, the cost of TB reactor compensation payments are estimated to be of £24.6 million.
Current disease levels in Northern Ireland have risen to levels not seen for several years.
