A Northern Irish farmer has been fined £1,500 after he pleaded guilty to two charges of failure to present all animals for bovine TB testing.
Robert Armstrong, from Enniskillen in County Fermagh, also pleaded guilty to one charge of failure to notify the deaths of nine cattle.
This case arose from Mr Armstrong’s failure to carry out a tuberculosis test on two occasions and offences discovered during a cattle identification inspection carried out by inspectors from Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Veterinary Service Welfare and Enforcement Branch.
The control of Bovine TB is dependent on identifying reactor animals at tests conducted by the Department. Failure to present animals for tests is seen as undermining efforts by both farmers and government to reduce the incidence of disease.
In a statement, DAERA said the majority of herd keepers fully comply with the requirements of the TB eradication scheme.
However, current disease levels have risen to levels not seen for several years and therefore, especially at this time, the department said it is vital all stakeholders work together to reduce the prevalence.
The offence relating to the undisclosed deaths of nine animals "breaches" the Cattle Identification Regulations.
A statement read: "Breaches of the Cattle Identification Regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in Northern Ireland, including the integrity of the Department’s Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS).
"The current interest in food safety by both Government and consumer groups means it is essential that the Department is clearly seen to be implementing all legislation pertaining to the traceability of livestock."
