Transporter sentenced at Laganside Court
Date published:
John Alexander Clark (67), Draperstown Road, Moneyshanere, Tobermore, Magherafelt was convicted today at Laganside Court of one charge under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and one charge under the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Mr Clark was convicted on:
- One charge of transporting animals, namely six sheep, which were not fit for the journey.
- One charge of failure to present animals and health certificates at the border control post inspection facilities.
Mr Clark received a three-month custodial sentence suspended for two years on charge one, and was fined £750 on charge two plus a £15 offender levy and £133 court costs.
The case arose following intelligence received by Belfast Port staff on 15 November 2024 indicating that animals may have been present on a lorry carrying hay.
DAERA portal inspection staff at Belfast Port stopped the lorry and examined the load. Sixty sheep were present on the top deck of the lorry.
Mr Clark denied he had any animals on board and did not have any import documentation for them. In relation to six of the animals, it was deemed by a Veterinary Officer that they were not fit for transport, and the transport would have caused them additional injury and suffering.
At the time, Northern Ireland was free from Bluetongue, and the importation of Bluetongue-susceptible species posed a risk to maintaining that disease-free status. All 60 animals were deemed to have been illegally imported and were seized and destroyed due to the disease risk they posed to Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- Mr Clark was convicted on one charge of transporting animals, namely six sheep, which were not fit for the journey, contrary to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
- Mr Clark was convicted on one charge of, being the person responsible for a consignment or animals or animal products, failed with reasonable expedition to arrange for the animal or animal products, together with the relevant health certificates published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to be presented at the border control inspection facilities in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
- The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
- The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 also requires that animals must be fit to travel and must be cared for if they fall ill or are injured during transport. The animals must be accompanied by competent persons and must be transported to their destinations without undue delay. All those who have animals in their care either on farm, in transit or at slaughter have a duty of care to look after that animals’ welfare.
- Trade with Great Britain and EU Member States is important to the Northern Ireland sheep industry and the Department takes a serious view of anything that might undermine this. By disregarding Importation requirements, individuals may derive short term financial gain but ultimately compromises Northern Ireland’s Animal Health status. This impacts on all farmers.
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