ANOTHER 56 unidentified cattle have been seized in raids on farms in Co Cork by Department of Agriculture and Garda teams, writes Sean MacConnell.
The seizure comes following the discovery and destruction of 70 similar animals from a number of farms in the county in recent weeks.
None of the 56 animals seized in the latest raids by the Department of Agriculture’s special investigation unit, along with local department officials and gardaí, were tagged.
An investigation, which began six weeks ago, first recovered the 70 animals of varying ages from five farms in the county. These were taken to a central location, DNA samples were taken, and they were then slaughtered and their carcasses destroyed.
Last week, as the investigation continued, the 56 new untagged animals were found on two farms and these were also destroyed after samples were taken.
It is believed a gang operating in the area has been offering to buy animals for a very low price from farmers who have failed to tag or present animals for mandatory bovine TB or brucellosis tests.