The Department of Agriculture has been prosecuting two farmers for a series of offences against record-keeping rules which have left dozens of animals missing, a spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.

According to the Department, the farmers failed to make cattle, herd registers and passports available for inspection on mutliple occasions. They are also accused of multiple counts of failure to provide information regarding the location, sale, supply or disposal of cattle.

Additional alleged offences include failure to register calves within seven days of tagging, failure to maintain a herd register, using a false date of birth and taking possession of a bovine which was not accompanied by a passport.

Inspections

While conducting inspections on the farms operated by the two defendants in Co Kerry and Co Cork, "Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine officials identified approximately 116 missing cattle," the spokesperson said.

A court in Killarney heard evidence in the case this week and adjourned it for sentencing until June.

Asked about the implications of the case for treaceability of cattle, the spokesperson said: "The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will take corrective action for non-compliance and breaches of legislation, as evidenced in this case."

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