Two Northern Irish dairy farming brothers have been fined £750 each for failing to keep their farm clean.
The two brothers were convicted of one charge of failing to comply with Remedial Action Notices (RANs) at Craigavon Courthouse on Tuesday 5 September.
Selwyn Ball and Martin Ball from Dromara, Co Down were each fined £750 plus £15 offenders levy.
A series of inspections were carried out at the defendants’ farm on behalf of the Food Standards Agency by inspectors from the Milk Inspectorate of Agri-Food Inspection Branch of DAERA (AfIB).
On 7 September 2016, it was found that 4 RANs issued under Regulation 9 of the Food Hygiene Regulations (NI) 2006 had been breached.
The inspection found that the dairy was not kept pest proofed and protected, the bulk tank exterior was not clean and miscellaneous items were present on the tank lid, unnecessary items were present in the dairy and collection/dispersal areas adjacent to the milking parlour were not sufficiently clean.
Ruth Moreno, Head of Operational Policy and Delivery from the FSA in Northern Ireland, which brought the case, said: "We welcome the fine imposed on these two dairy farming brothers and acknowledge the work of the Agri-food Inspection Branch of DAERA in inspecting and investigating this case."
The Northern Irish government issues out a booklet entitled 'Milk Hygiene on the Dairy Farm'. It provides guidelines for how to keep a dairy farm in good, clean condition.
