In a statement last week, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) spokesperson for agriculture Rosemary Barton said she was “astounded” to learn that 14,506 cattle are missing or stolen off APHIS over the last four years.

When considered in isolation, the figures are stark, and in the summer months when news is slow, it was a statement picked up by most local media outlets, leaving farming leaders to answer press queries on what skulduggery is rife within the industry.

Looking at the figures provided by DAERA, it shows that 3,688 cattle were either recorded on APHIS as stolen or reported missing in 2019

Yet 12 months ago, her party colleague Robin Swann revealed almost exactly the same information in similar press statement, highlighting that nearly 11,000 cattle were reported lost or stolen in the previous three years. He also revealed similar information in 2013, so it would seem to be a bit of a stretch that the latest revelations brought gasps of horror in UUP circles.

Looking at the figures provided by DAERA, it shows that 3,688 cattle were either recorded on APHIS as stolen or reported missing in 2019. With the vast majority “missing”, the inference again drawn by the UUP is that some of these cattle end up slaughtered illegally.

The simple fact is that there is absolutely no proof that this is happening, and we are not aware of any rumours circulating about such activity.

It is important that when farmers do realise that cattle are gone, that they report this to DAERA

In reality, some cattle do genuinely go missing, especially if grazing on rough land. Others might stray. There are also a small number of farmers who would do anything to avoid fallen animal charges.

It is important that when farmers do realise that cattle are gone, that they report this to DAERA.

But it is also possible that some of these cattle don’t actually exist – there is a small rogue element who seem to get a kick out of flouting the rules. The sooner they stop farming, the better.

However, the vast majority fully comply with cattle traceability requirements, and with over 1.6m cattle in NI, the percentage that are ‘missing’ comes in at just 0.2%. In the end, it really isn’t much of a story.

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