An Ulster Unionist councillor has controversially suggested injured agricultural animals should not be euthanised on the farm, but instead be sent for slaughter to an abattoir, despite the law stating transportation causes further unnecessary suffering.

Councillor Bert Wilson made the remarks during a meeting of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Policy and Resources Committee, at which members discussed the content of a draft consultation response to the Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland.

Members were broadly in support, with some further inclusions; however, while Councillor Wilson put forward a number of suggestions, none were included, as it turned out he did not have a seconder.

Responses

Going through the consultation responses, the Director of Corporate Services and Governance, Celine McCarten, told members the focus where possible was on agricultural issues affecting farmers.

This included highlighting the need for resources enabling farm businesses to plan and invest in support of climate charge and other developments.

The high standard of Northern Ireland food production was emphasised which must be protected for consumers against lower-quality foods.

Ms. McCarten also drew attention to the potential risks around environmental standards and carbon reduction, which in turn could lead to importing food products.

She concluded by stressing the importance of animal welfare and it was this aspect which appeared to perturb Councillor Wilson.

Among a number of comments against some of the draft response, he was against the requirement to identifying the sire or parent bull when registering a calf.

He said: “For a beef farmer that has two or three bulls running about, that would be totally impossible. Farmers would have to get the calf DNA tested. That needs to be looked at.”

Councillor Wilson was also critical of the suggestion of a minimum 12 months before slaughter, which he felt “should be left in a vet’s hands”.

He continued: “If you’ve an animal injured, and the vet said it had to be put down but it’s only a broken leg,  it’s quite possible it could go through an abattoir … Animal health is at the top of this [response], but what about the farmer’s health? It’s being ignored.”

The discussion moved on, and members supported the consultation response with some inclusions put forward by Councillor Sheamus Green, Sinn Fein and seconded by party colleague, Councillor Anthony Feely.

Councillor Wilson enquired: “Were all my suggestions ignored?”

Party colleague, and Chair of the Committee, Councillor Howard Thornton, replied: “There was no seconder.”

The matter went to a vote, which passed without dissent.

Sending an injured animal for slaughter is against the law and a matter which frequently sees famers in court as it is considered the transportation causes additional suffering and distress.

Just last week, a farmer was fined after a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs veterinary surgeon noticed a cow presented for slaughter at an abattoir was injured, and euthanised it as quickly as possible.

In his professional opinion, the vet said the injury was of a severe and painful nature from which the animal would not recover, and it should have been euthanised on the farm to prevent further suffering.

He added it was obvious it was not fit for transport, and by doing this the farmer had added to the suffering.