The financial and mental impact cattle theft can have on farmers has been highlighted by Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) president Ivor Ferguson.

Ferguson said he had witnessed the effects firsthand: “My neighbour lost 19 cattle. These are small family farms and something like this can have a cost of £20,000 and on a small farm it can put the farmer out of business. It is not just financial loss. It has serious implications for a farmer’s mental health.

Ferguson said his neighbour no longer had the confidence to put cattle back into the field they were stolen from

There are a lot of farmers that are elderly and live alone. They feel vulnerable and fear for their personal safety.”

Ferguson said his neighbour no longer had the confidence to put cattle back into the field they were stolen from and was considering letting the farm.

“That’s a case where the farmer may be forced to retire and it is not an isolated case,” he said.

According to figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) between 2013 and 2017 there were 535 cattle theft incidents.

In the past maybe these criminals worked closer to the border and it gave them a bit of protection

Co Down was worst affected with 172 thefts followed by Tyrone (112) and Armagh (109). Ferguson said the million dollar question was where the stolen cattle were going. He said it was not a matter of cattle being taken over the border and that there was reason to believe they were just as likely to stay in NI as move to the Republic.

“In the past maybe these criminals worked closer to the border and it gave them a bit of protection. Now, though, I think these criminals have moved on and it’s a problem all over Northern Ireland.”

While thefts have died down in recent weeks, there are fears that the housing of cattle could see the issue flare up again.

“We still think it’s a major issue because once they’re at grass it’s more difficult for them to steal cattle. It is so much easier to take them when they’re in shed in the winter time.”

The problem is that no matter what security is put in place to stop thieves, it does not deter them, Ferguson said.