This is a subscriber-only article
Most cattle producers in NI are fed up with bovine TB, and anyone who has reactors at a test currently faces a cycle of seemingly more and more testing while we all wait for some meaningful action to address the various issues. Granted there is still full compensation for a reactor animal, but for the majority that in no way makes up for the hassle of a test (particularly in the summer months), the loss of thrive and the extra costs that come from being unable to sell. Added to that are the health and safety risks of working with cattle (particularly suckler-bred stock). Forcing animals down a crush twice in four days is dangerous.
Therefore, how frustrating it is to see a father and son (Mark and Anthony Girvan) convicted at Dungannon Courthouse last week for o?ences linked to fraud at a TB test, animal welfare and cattle traceability.
It has long been suspected by DAERA that there are those who buy pedigree cattle and then look to ensure these animals subsequently react with lumps at a TB test. With various claims then made about the pedigree status of the animals, they are able to secure large pay-outs in compensation from the Department.
Such activity does the vast majority of farmers no favours, and will just reinforce DAERA belief that compensation for reactor animals should be capped. Still on the table is a proposal from the Department that non-pedigree cattle get compensated to a maximum of £1,500, and pedigree animals to a maximum of £1,800.
In reality, when compared with getting fraudsters before the courts, capping compensation is the easier option for officials. There is a real danger that the actions of a very small number will have implications for the vast majority of honest, hard-working people. The battle to ensure proper and fair compensation for TB reactor animals now, and into the future, just got harder.
SHARING OPTIONS: