DAERA staff have investigated reports of an animal carcase being left on the Mountain Lodge Road near Darkley and the local district council was to have it removed and disposed of, a spokesperson for the department told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Farmers are responsible for the disposal of their fallen stock. The livestock industry has a great deal to gain from maintaining public confidence in its ability to dispose of its waste in a safe and sustainable manner," the spokesperson said.

“The local authority has powers to take actions against fly-tipping and appropriate action may subsequently be taken against the owner of the carcase," they added.

Responsibility

Where an unidentified carcase is dumped on public land or highways, local authorities are responsible for its disposal in Northern Ireland.

Where a carcase is dumped on private land, wherever possible, the owner of the animal will be identified and held responsible. "If ownership cannot be proven, responsibility for disposal rests with the landowner," according to DAERA.

Penalties for the illegal dumping of a livestock carcase under Northern Ireland's animal by-products regulations include fines of up to £5,000 and/or up to three months in prison on summary conviction or up to two years imprisonment on conviction on indictment.

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