Latest news with #BovineTB
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Powys County Times
Powys farmer fined again for flouting animal health rules
A FARMER from Powys who refused to test his cattle for Bovine TB has been ordered to pay more £3,000 in court fines. Alastair Meikle 'repeatedly' expressed an anti-authority stance and claimed rules on keeping livestock didn't apply to him. Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court heard this week that the defendant failed to complete tuberculosis testing on his herd over a two-year period between 2022 and 2024 and then obstructed animal health inspectors, preventing them from entering his Montgomeryshire property and handing over records relating to the livestock on his farm. It comes after Meikle, of Gardd Afon, Tafolwern, Llanbrynmair, was fined more than £2,500 early in 2024 for flouting avian influenza rules and being 'threatening and verbally abusive' to council staff who visited his property to try and enforce them. Meikle, who was sentenced in his absence previously, was present at court on Tuesday, July 15, where he pleaded guilty to all six charges against him. These included: failing to complete the tuberculosis testing of his herd by October 22, 2023; failing to provide records of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs at his property; intentionally obstructing an authorised person; and failing to provide documents to that person. The offences occurred between October 30 and December 16 last year. Reshmi Mukherjee, prosecuting the case on behalf of Powys County Council, said the case had been brought against Meikle over his conduct as a livestock keeper. 'He has shown a blatant disregard for the statutory regulations of keeping cows, sheep, goats and pigs,' said Ms Mukherjee. 'He failed to produce records and of particular concern is that the cattle were not registered with the British Cattle Movement Service. 'He had previously asserted his cattle had perished or been removed. He failed to respond or confirm the whereabouts of the cattle. 'Ear tags reported as deceased cattle have become reactivated. There has been no Bovine TB testing at the property since 2022.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app She said that Meikle had recently began complying and testing had been carried out in April and June of this year. 'Data showed that all cattle are TB free, but this should have been completed in 2023,' added Ms Mukherjee. 'It was not an oversight, he had been trying to mislead authorities. 'He was served with an inspection notice in October last year but on October 30 he was not present. He'd locked all the gates, barring lawful access to his land. 'On December 16, police and animal health officers attended, he was present but refused them entry. He declined to produce any records.' She played video footage in court of Meikle's interaction with police officers and the animal health inspectors. Speaking in his own defence, Meikle apologised for his 'inappropriate' behaviour. 'I've never traded in animals, we slaughter them and eat them ourselves. They never leave the farm,' he said. 'I'm fully compliant now and I sincerely regret my actions. I fully accept responsibility. 'To explain, not excuse, I was under the mistaken impression that the full scope of the regulations did not apply to me. 'I have taken corrective steps, complied and undergone testing on my cattle. I am now keeping thorough records. 'I apologise for my intention to obstruct, my action at the time was inappropriate and I regret it. I have learnt from the experience.' Geraint Evans, chair of the bench, told Meikle: 'Legislation is there to protect local farmers, as well as the rest of Wales and the public. 'We are pleased to hear you have acknowledged your responsibility.' Meikle was fined £288 for each of the four records offences, plus £480 for each obstruction offence. He must pay £500 costs and an £844 surcharge – making a total of £3,456.
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Teagasc Moorepark under ‘TB-related' restrictions
Teagasc Moorepark is currently under TB restrictions. Attendees at its annual open day, which took place on Wednesday, July 3, were told that due to the restrictions, heightened biosecurity protocols would apply. Footbaths were made available at the start, end and throughout the planned route of the day. Disinfection mats for cars were also present at the entry and exit. The open day route took attendees on a meandering route through Moorepark fields. In the opening briefing before getting to the main event, attendees were informed that grazing by the Moorepark herd was restricted along the route. Breaking tradition, no live animals were on display at this year's event, with Teagasc opting instead for plastic, replacements, or cardboard cutouts as visual aids and props throughout the displays. Attendees were informed to thoroughly disinfect footwear and to be mindful that disinfectant only works on clean footwear. TB levels highest in 15 years TB levels in Ireland have reached the highest the country has seen in the last 15 years. As of March 30, herd incidence is reported as 6.18% by the Department of Agriculture, already surpassing 2024's figure of 6.04% herd incidence by the end of the year. In a recent oireachtas meeting, it was revealed that as of June 8, just under 6,500 herds have suffered a TB breakdown, and 43,000 reactors have been disclosed within the last 12 months. Within the same period, just under 43,000 reactors have been disclosed, a 35% increase on the figure recorded in the same period the previous year, which was just under 32,000 reactors. The meeting also heard that dealing with the ongoing battle of Bovine TB (TB) will cost Ireland €130m this year. With the current disease levels, it was also estimated that the cost of the eradication programme could reach €170m in 2026. Read More Irish Examiner view: We need to eradicate TB for good
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Balmoral Show: Extravaganza cannot disguise issues facing farmers
The 156th Balmoral Show starts on Wednesday, with all shades of agriculture coming together to put on a behind the shop window, farmers say they are under more pressure than TB levels remain at near-record levels, while a housing order imposed to protect the commercial poultry industry from bird flu has just been lifted after almost 12 the biggest shake-up in inheritance tax in a generation continues to cause stress for farming families. Despite prices for commodities like beef and milk remaining high, it all makes for a less-than-positive backdrop to a highlight in the farming Cormac McKervey, head of agriculture at Ulster Bank, the show has a role to play in connecting farmers with the public they serve."It lets them understand and know that what we're doing is good, it's wholesome, it's natural food."But agriculture is still Northern Ireland's largest contributor to greenhouse gas reducing that is a challenge that Mr McKervey says is on the minds of farmers."Farming does produce a lot of carbon emissions, but equally, farming has some fantastic solutions in terms of absorbing that carbon into the soil," he said."And I think the conversation has widened, that it's not just purely carbon anymore, it's that wider piece about sustainability on the farm, both economically and environmentally."Farmers are getting into that and the supply chain is driving it." Bovine TB William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, knows his members will have a lot to discuss when the Union's tent opens for tea and scones on Wednesday."I could almost guarantee that the majority of questions that we will get will be the inheritance tax piece, the TB piece, closely followed I would say by the Nutrients Action Programme consultation that's just been announced in recent days," Mr Irvine said."It feels like there is a tsunami coming at us around all of these issues."Sean McAuley has felt the impact of part of that 40 years in farming, he had his first experience of bovine TB in 2023-24. "It was a shock to the system. I wasn't that well at the time; I was waiting to go into hospital," Mr McAuley said. "I can fully relate now to the pressures it puts farmers and their families under because you see your business disappearing."The Farmers for Action spokesperson is adamant that no strategy will tackle the problem until there is a wildlife intervention - a badger cull, by another the courts have quashed the previous minister's order for a the bill for the TB programme expected to reach £60m this year, the TB Partnership Steering Group has published a blueprint for said it will "bring forward proposals for effective, evidence-based wildlife interventions and TBPSG views for consideration by [the] minister". Celebration and a shop window Frustrations with the planning system felt in other sectors are also affecting farming."I have one son who would be interested in farming," said Mr McAuley."We have been looking recently at perhaps other ventures on the farm, but the big stumbling block is going to be planning, and that is a big issue for anyone who wants to invest into the industry at the minute."Amid all the troubles, the Balmoral Show remains "a real celebration" to look forward to for Mr Irvine."Balmoral is a day out, a day to meet folk that we maybe didn't meet since this time last year, it's a day to enjoy, a day to catch up with our friends and colleague," he said."It's a shop window for our pedigree breeders, our livestock breeders, and all the various sectors within agriculture will be represented at the show."I'm quite sure people will be there to enjoy their day, even with all the challenges that are coming at them." Parking, tickets and transport at the Balmoral Show The Balmoral Show takes place the Eikon Centre, not far from show runs on four days from Wednesday to Saturday and opens at 09:30 BST each closes at 18:00 on Wednesday and Saturday, 20:00 on Thursday and 19:00 on Friday.A free shuttle bus service will run between the centre and Lisburn Train Station, a journey of about 20-30 parking is available for £10 per car each day, which must be paid by cash on must be bought online in advance and cannot be purchased on the day.
