A dispute between a Blonde d’Aquitaine breeder and DAERA surrounding valuations of pedigree TB reactors continues, with police accompanying officials to the farm earlier this month to collect two animals that went down in a TB test in July.Sean Savage from Ballynahinch has written to the magistrate who issued the warrant to question why that action was required.
A dispute between a Blonde d’Aquitaine breeder and DAERA surrounding valuations of pedigree TB reactors continues, with police accompanying officials to the farm earlier this month to collect two animals that went down in a TB test in July.
Sean Savage from Ballynahinch has written to the magistrate who issued the warrant to question why that action was required.
“We never had a problem with anyone coming on to the farm. We only have an issue with the valuations that were given for reactors,” Savage said.
The latest animals to go down with TB were two cows carrying their second calves, and Savage has maintained that DAERA’s valuations are significantly below their market value.
He had 15 reactors in TB tests in February and March 2016 and has pursued DAERA’s appeal process about the valuations given, as well as the testing procedure after one test was carried out 13 days earlier than DAERA protocol.
He has also approached the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) about assistance in taking his case to court, but the union has declined his request.
“We weigh up every member’s request for a court case with our 10-member governing body and consider if it could have implications for a large proportion of our membership. The Savage case was about a very specific issue and our board decided not to take the case,” UFU president Barclay Bell told the Irish Farmers Journal.
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