300 unregistered sheep must be culled
Two Gozitan farmers have already had half of their animals put down
The Veterinary Department said all the unregistered sheep in Gianni Attard and Emmanuel Vella’s flock were automatically presumed to be sick and therefore a public health hazard.
A flock of around 300 unregistered sheep should be immediately culled in the interests of public safety and the milk industry, the Veterinary Department insisted yesterday.
In an application filed in the Gozo Court, the department’s director general, Anthony Gruppetta, called on the court to revoke an injunction issued last week that had stopped him from culling the remainder of a 500-strong flock.
He argued that any animal not registered with the department was automatically presumed to be sick because its roots could not be traced. This constituted a public health hazard.
In a separate application, the Attorney General, on Dr Gruppetta’s behalf, requested the court to hear the case with urgency and it has been appointed for hearing today.
Farmers Gianni Attard and Emmanuel Vella had not contested the fact that the sheep were unregistered.
But their lawyer Kevin Mompalao had asked the court to stop the Veterinary Services Department from culling any more of them after more than half – some of them pregnant – were put down.
In granting the injunction, Magistrate Josette Demicoli noted that the court case hinged on the interpretation of the regulations and whether unregistered animals were automatically presumed to be sick and therefore had to be put down.
Dr Gruppetta is now requesting the court to revoke this order, saying his action at the Għarb farm was legal and the court order was detrimental to public health because of possible contamination.
He noted that inspectors had found a large quantity of cheeselets on the farm.
Dr Gruppetta said under alaw that had been enforced for more than 30 years, any animal that was not registered with the department was automatically assumed to be sick as its origins were unknown.
Sheep, he said, were usually subjected to monthly tests for various diseases, including mad cow disease.
Since this disease could only be tested after the animal died, it was obvious that every animal whose roots could not be traced were suspected to be carrying such a disease.
Mr Attard’s sheep and the possible danger of his products were enough to affect consumer trust in all milk products, he maintained.
“The failure to destroy this flock could cause irreparable damage to the industry, which includes €2 million worth of animals and between €7 and €14 million worth of products.
“This apart from the multiplier effect of this industry,” he told the court.
Dr Mompalao countered that Dr Gruppetta would have done more good had he tested each and every sheep for the diseases he mentioned rather than insisting on culling them “at all costs”.
He said Dr Gruppetta’s latest application contained nothing new and was a repetition of the legal arguments made when the court upheld his client’s request for an injunction.
Dr Mompalao questioned the motives behind Dr Gruppetta’s actions and noted how Dr Gruppetta had insisted on having a police presence around the clock at his clients’ farm.
“It seems the director became obsessed about the culling of this flock at all costs and this latest request (to revoke a previous court decision) was an attempt at achieving this,” he said.
He added that testing the animals rather than “arbitrary culling” was what was expected of a veterinary department.
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William Spencer
Nov 18th 2012, 17:49
@ Toni Muscat
Aha, so if these underage chids ( children/kids ) are caught illegally in night clubs without being registered ( having an ID card to prove their age ), they ought to be culled ? This would certainly clean up Paceville / St Julians, and make it a far healthier place.
Francis Farrugia
Nov 18th 2012, 14:55
Hija vera hasra li ma baqax bdiewa antiki hajjijn li ghaddew mill-esperjenza tal marda tad-deni irqieq li kien hawn fl-annimali taghna. Dawn setaw jitkellmu u jghidu xi hsara kbira ghamlu dawn in-nies meta zammew dawn l-annimali fil-mohbi bil-probabilta li anke bieghu xi ftit minnhom minghajr ma gew it-testjati. Kull min qieghed jkteb ma ghandu l-ebda idea kemm eluf ta liri intefqu fid-deni irqieq
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 19th 2012, 10:07
Fis-sena 2012 jistghu isiru testijiet necessarji!
Eric Sammut
Nov 18th 2012, 12:08
Culled? I think you mean euthanize.
Daniel Mercieca
Nov 18th 2012, 01:15
Sounds very suspicious to me! They could certainly have tested them before! And what about the cheeselets and other products they found. These would be the major threat and weren't even tested! I suspect some1 wants this family out of business probably to turn the property to holiday flats! So much for traditional culture conservation!
B. Farrugia
Nov 17th 2012, 22:06
Hope this does`nt happen to any voters.
Matthew Grima
Nov 17th 2012, 14:41
Pardon my ignorance... Can't they be tested before?
Tony Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 08:23
Too many people are missing the point of why these sheep should be culled. The health of the nation is paramount. These laws are there for a very good reason. Not only, but also if the consumer doesn't have confidence in the produce it will impact on all farmers. If the farmer has not registered his sheep, is the farm operating to the proper standards of cleanliness, and animal welfare?
Toni Muscat
Nov 17th 2012, 18:28
What about laws to enforce that night clubs don't allow underage into their clubs and serve them spirits and in turn cause them to be a menus to society . Animals can be tested and if not healthy then put them down . Laws that are supposed to be enforced aren't .
Pippo de Marco
Nov 17th 2012, 08:14
Why would someone not register an animal if the law requires them to ? - What are the benefits to be gained from not registering them? And who gains from keeping unregistered animals ?
And what if an epidemic of whatever disease wiped-out our milk products and meat industry and caused tourists to avoid Malta and Gozo because of public safety concerns? - Who would benefit from that ?
Connie Deguara
Nov 17th 2012, 03:15
don't kill them,the vet should know if they are sick or not. That is if he is a vet.
Rebecca Cocks
Nov 17th 2012, 03:02
Not everyone has read the whole of the article. The animals will die regardless as the tests can only be done on dead animals. It's not just about animals rights but human rights as well to protect other animals, people, livelihoods etc. I'm from a farming area in the Uk, foot & mouth was hell not only to the farmers but to the people living commuting & working in the areas, think of the long term
Francis Grech
Nov 18th 2012, 01:37
Rebecca I remember that incident about the foot & mouth disease as I also live in the UK and had friends that were farmers than, what you didn't mentioned is that foot and mouth disease was some thing that you can see and watch a cow being crippled by it but how many thousands or even millions healthy other cows were killed for no reason at all later admitted by who ever gave the order.
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 19th 2012, 10:08
Human rights? What right? Right to kill?
Ray Mercieca
Nov 17th 2012, 00:19
Dr Grupetta has all the rights to prevent any diseases from spreading. But culling these 500 sheep without carring any tests? Is there any agenda behind all this? Were these farmers selling their products cheaper?
Francis Grech
Nov 17th 2012, 00:05
Who's shame full idea was this culling of 300 sheep or goats as the picture shows don't this bright person know that culling all those animals is a sin just how they can justify that all those animals are sick just because they are not registered with the Department don't they have vets in Malta in this time and age to tell if these animals are sick or not or is this another EU directive
J Tabone
Nov 17th 2012, 00:01
These farmers have been warned loads of times yet they refused to register their animals. If the law states that the sheep must be registered then they should have been registered - end of story. The way I heard it these farmers were also drawing unemployment benefits and that's the main reason why they refused to register them.
Francis Grech
Nov 18th 2012, 18:05
Oh that;s it than just because the farmers were drawing unemployment benefits their flock of sheep are going to be killed eh so why don't the labour office sell these sheep and try to retrieve some money that those farmers were paid illegally so according to you Einstien was there more than one farmer then,,same old story they always pick on the most vulnerable even if it is just a sheep good
Joseph Borg
Nov 17th 2012, 00:00
Legal or not they are live creatures and unless they are each and every one of them proven sick, you are doing a CRUEL MASSACRE!!! Fine the shepherd for not observing the law but STOP killing innocent animals that are most probably healthy just cause you assume they are not! Check them and keep the healthy ones alive! SHAME ON YOU!!!
Ivan Calleja
Nov 16th 2012, 23:17
Everyone is talking about the sheep here.....unfortunately they are the victims of the system!!! What about the herders??? They should be given a hefty fine and made to pay all the xpenses involved in the testing of all sheep. Only like this would other farmers think it twice not to register their sheep!!!
Joseph Ellul
Nov 16th 2012, 22:20
The EU rules state that every man and his dog must be numbered and accounted for. There will be a tax on everything that lives, even migrating birds will be tagged and given a live or die certificate. It is time for the great punishment.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 16th 2012, 21:36
Those sheep are mighty important.
This is so unfair as without these unregistered sheep the supply of fresh halal meat from clandestine abattoirs will dry up now.
And that is plain not right in multicultural and multi-faith Malta.
Aldo Buttigieg
Nov 17th 2012, 00:47
Mr. Mizzi you know nothing about sheep and milk produce kindly shut up please!
matthew tanti
Nov 17th 2012, 07:31
with brains like these, why are we wasting the culling on sheep?
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 17th 2012, 15:44
Don't be rude, I have a right to my opinion as you or anyone else.
Sheep have traditionally supplied more than milk but in the end the older sheep are killed and consumed and that is a fact that you are forgetting.
Sheep are slaughtered in Malta illegally to supply the growing demand for halal meat.
More than one illegal abattoir has been discovered by the authorities and you know it.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 17th 2012, 16:16
@ mathhew tanti,
I suppose It takes a genius like you to make a less than a veiled physical threat over the internet.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 17th 2012, 16:55
@ Aldo Buttigeig,
Don't be rude, I have a right to my opinion as you or anyone else.
Sheep have traditionally supplied more than milk but in the end the older sheep are killed and consumed and that is a fact that you are forgetting.
Sheep are slaughtered in Malta illegally to supply the growing demand for halal meat.
More than one illegal abattoir has been discovered by the authorities.
Schembri Ray
Nov 16th 2012, 21:29
Bla ġbejniet ħa jispiċċa Għawdex, għaliex 300 nagħġa tipproduċi naqra ġbejniet mhux ħażin.
D Zarb
Nov 16th 2012, 23:02
Nippreferi bla gbejniet milli gbejniet min sorsi li mhemmx kontroll fuqhom. F irziezet bhal dawn il mard jixtered malajr u mhux la kemm tarah qabel ma jkun tard wisq. Ahjar inhallu f'idejn min jifhem ghax fil-passat kien hawn hafna mard minhabba l-injoranza li kien hawn. Jew ha nreggaw l arlogg lura u naghtu cans lil xi 'Maltese Fever' ohra?
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 19th 2012, 10:10
U bir-ragunament tieghek Mr Zarb... ghidilna min miet bil-gbejniet dan l-ahhar? Ghax xi hadd kiel minn taht dawn zgur!
Maria Williams
Nov 16th 2012, 21:12
If I understand correctly 200 animals from the flock have been killed already.Were any of these tested to detect presence of mad cow?And if not, why not?Surely since the law started to be enforced 30 years ago veterinary science and testing must have improved A more humane solution must. be found.By all means punish the farmer but spare the sheep who are blameless in all this.
Ms Sylvia Zammit
Nov 16th 2012, 22:13
Yes I agree with Maria Williams' comment.If even 1 had been found to be sick, then such action might have been justified. But if not.....I fail to see why this crusade againt these poor sheep! The farmers might be ruined, but it's the sheep who pay the ultimate price - their life!
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Nov 16th 2012, 21:10
Milli jidher dawn in-nagħġ imsemna sewwa, ma naħsibx li minn ikun marid ikun imsemmen.
Dawn għandhom bżonn jiġu ittestjati malajr, u jinqatlu biss jekk morda b'ċertu mard.
Dan ir-raħħal minn jgħinu u jedukaħ għandu bżonn u mhux jkompli jgħodsu iżjed l-isfel!
Nies bħal dawn għandna bżonnhom u mhux inkisruhom, għax imbgħad nini nini nieklu il-ġbejniet tajbien!
T Cassar
Nov 16th 2012, 21:49
Ghaliex, tahseb li 'miskin' ma kienx jaf li kellu jirregistrhom l'annimali? Tghid lanqas li irid jiddikjara l-income ma kien jaf.......?
Mr Edward Muscat
Nov 16th 2012, 20:47
Why not cull all sick persons at Mater Dei, Mr. Gruppetta?
M. Attard
Nov 17th 2012, 08:11
Mr Gruppetta, you should first try to save the animals if they are sick at all not kill them cold blooded. The same you do with people as Mr Muscat has implied. But had to go to the extreme so that maybe a dr like you may understand something. If the law is not good anymore you should say that it is at fault and not enforce it as if you are jolly happy to do it.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 16th 2012, 20:42
This is so unfair as without these unregistered sheep the supply of fresh halal meat from clandestine abattoirs will dry up now.
And that is plain not right in multicultural and multi-faith Malta.
Lawrence Camilleri
Nov 16th 2012, 20:34
and furthermore, did the Dept come to know about them only when they reached such a great number, hundred's? Or was a blind eye being focussed for many years past?
T Cassar
Nov 16th 2012, 21:54
Interesting to know where the milk, milk products and meat was being sold. One would assume that if they were sold to shops for resale no receipts were being issued and no official stamp was on the meat. How come the circle of persons being investigated is not larger than stated here? Some certificate for the safety of our food!! We are not talking about a couple of cheeslets here.....
Lawrence Camilleri
Nov 16th 2012, 20:30
True, none appear to have been registered but never seen a herd so spotlessly clean and in apparent good health.
P. Attard
Nov 16th 2012, 20:29
The veterinary department is abiding by what the law states, I understand that; but to every rule there could be an exception, and therefore as an animal lover I beg that these poor and innocent creatures are NOT culled, that is KILLED, but through some special arrangement they can be put in some quarantine at their owners' expense, until a future decision is taken.
carmel cassar
Nov 16th 2012, 19:22
Definitly they should not be killed, instead they should be confiscated, tested and healthy ones sold. The owner must have his lesson. It will also serve as a deterant to others. Unnecessary wastage is always condemned.
Anthony Paul Naudi
Nov 16th 2012, 19:12
Ghaliex dawn mhux irregistrati ? x'qed izomm li jirregistrawhom ? minflok jinqattlu ahjar jaraw li huma b'sahhithom u l-morda jinqatlu.
A.P.NAudi
M Vella
Nov 16th 2012, 18:18
Don't kill them, test them and put down the sick ones only.
Joe Galea
Nov 16th 2012, 17:43
These animals should be immediately killed. We cannot risk the other registered herds which have been always under control and huge ammounts of money invested in their well being. Then some cowboy or in this case a sheepboy shows up and pretends no to abide by the regulations. We cannot tollerate such issues there are huge interests at stake. Lawfull farmers should be protected by our courts.
Mario Borg
Nov 16th 2012, 18:24
man has been grazing sheep since the dawn of time without the need to register them for health issues, why killed them immediately, test each and every one of them and treat them if anything, modern days, medieval thinking
Victor Pulis
Nov 16th 2012, 17:32
For all we know they can be healthier than registered sheep. Test them and cull the sick ones if any. Then register them. Why all this senseless slaughter?
Johann Agius
Nov 16th 2012, 17:20
I think that Dr. Mompalao is right when saying that Dr. Gruppetta is obsessed on this issue. Do the tests and let the farmer pay the expenses for the negligence of not registering the sheep. Why Dr.Gruppetta is in such a hurry to cull these sheep. If he wants he can quarantine the herd.
maria borg
Nov 16th 2012, 16:57
poor sheep,,,what world are we living in???
no respect ....and we say that maltese are kind hearted
and killing all those sheep instead of testing them for sickness!!
owww yes kill them they are not important they`re just animals....defenceless animals with no rights ,that`s what some ppl think in this country
do not kill them
Joseph Borg
Nov 16th 2012, 16:50
Dr.Gruppetta ezaminhom l-ewwel u mhux toqtolhom b;kapricc. Jekk le mela hemm xi haga ohra mohbija. Ghalissa nieqaf hawn. Min irabbi ruxmata ghasafar f'kamra kbira fuq il bejt f'livell baxx min ta magenbu kwazi tmiss mat twieqi tal girien dan mhu xejn sur Gruppetta. Dawn mhux registrati u jistu jgorru mard ukoll. Jew din il ligi ma tapplikax ghal l-ghasafar.
Stephen Zammit
Nov 16th 2012, 16:49
So keep on rearing unregistered animals and expect us to buy products from your area, because we don't really care about our health, we just want to make you rich. Which area is that? Gozo?
Francis Farrugia
Nov 16th 2012, 15:59
As far as I am concerned these people are to be punished. Thank God that these animals have not spread any alarming infectious diseases as this could have effected the maltese population plus also distorting the whole Tourism Industry.
Francis Farrugia
Nov 16th 2012, 15:55
Kullhadd qieghed jara sa mniehru. The Law is quite clear. Anybody keeping an animal and more and more either for breeding or to produce meat or by products from this animal is bound by law to register with the Department of Veterinary services. That these animals are to be slaughtered is not the VS fault but the breeders fault that they did not register their animals.
Vincent Borg
Nov 16th 2012, 16:40
100% right
Ivan Falzon
Nov 16th 2012, 16:49
of course it's the breeders fault but do these innocent creatures really need to be slaughtered?
daniel borg
Nov 16th 2012, 15:53
din veru bla sens e.... bis rispett kollu lejn tobba veterinarji.... din ma hijix haga logika toqtol 300 annimal f dan il kas naghag minajr ma jigu ezaminati jekk humix morda qabel jinqatlu. jin ma nafx kif il poplu malti joqod lura min haga bhal din mohqrija fuq annimali gravi bhal din.il bidiwi jiehu hsiebom min derha ax mir ritratt jidru b sahhitom.!!! veru mohqrija tal misthija!!!
Ivan Falzon
Nov 16th 2012, 15:49
So our veterinary department takes the easiest way -by murdering animals- instead of checking them for diseases.
I can only hope that doctors don't imitate them.
matthew tanti
Nov 16th 2012, 15:47
the solution should be to have the animals tested at the farmer's expense: after all, it is his fault for not registering them.
A Cachia
Nov 16th 2012, 15:44
Instead of spending money to kill the poor creatures...cannot they test them and let them live!
A.Felex Busuttil
Nov 16th 2012, 15:43
can these be checked if they are sick or not. What a waste !!!!!!!!!
John L Galea
Nov 16th 2012, 15:33
can't they be tested instead of killed?
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Nov 16th 2012, 15:23
Who is representing the interests of the Animals - before that is solved the Warrant should hold on !! THE RAM has spoken.
Noel Cutajar
Nov 16th 2012, 15:09
Jekk hemm hlas ghal kull annimal allura wiehed jipprova jevita biex ihallas...bil-konsegwenza li titlef kollox
Andre' Xerri
Nov 16th 2012, 15:05
I agree with all that was said with animal rights and so on, but remember one thing that when foot and mouth broke out in the UK over 10 million sheep and cattle had to be culled to restrain the disease. The law is there to prevent such incidences from occuring,we cannot endanger all the cattle and in so doing punish all responsible farmers because of one carefree farmer.
Steffi Thake
Nov 16th 2012, 14:47
Personally I think that the farmer was particularly irresponsible for not registering his flock in the first place. The VD are right to assume that the sheep are sick. If the animals are to be tested they should be at the farmer's expense as a cost for not having registered the sheep in the first place! The effects of keeping these sheep on the production line could be seriously detrimental.
Carmel Garcia
Nov 16th 2012, 14:44
G]aliex ser jinqatlu flok ji[u eżaminati minn tobba veterinarji? Din mhux moħqrija. Xi dritt għandna li naqbdu u noqlu animal għas-sempliċi raġuni banali għax mhux reġistrati? Mela dawn l-animali m'għandhomx dritt jibqu jgħixu? Min ta' dan id-dritt lil xi ħadd li jiddeċiedi li jinqatlu? Mela min ħa din id-deċizjoni huwa akbar minn Alla? Ara veru pajjiz tal-biki.
A Cardona
Nov 16th 2012, 14:43
Is there no way to test each of these 300 animals or is it because it would be more expensive at the end?
Joe Grech
Nov 16th 2012, 14:39
Dr Mompalao needs to act in the public interest and not just in his clients'.
Michael Borg
Nov 16th 2012, 14:36
2million divide by 500 = 4000 euro each sheep ??? and 14 million products i guess i will switch to a farmer from IT makes more money !!! apart do they pay taxes at 35% like I do ???? IRD please investigate
Pierre Vella
Nov 16th 2012, 16:13
the figures shown are for sheep, cows of other farms and products produced the same from other farmers, producers. I would also ask has these farmers ever sold their sheep milk to a particular company in gozo???????
Maria Camilleri
Nov 16th 2012, 14:28
This is insane! Din mhux mohqrija ukoll? Toqotolhom ghax m'humiex registrati? What happened to quarantining and testing? Have them quarantined, make the owners pay for any tests involved... and get them registered!
Paul Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2012, 14:28
Dahallek ix-xoghol Moira. Din ghar mic-cirklu.
Mr andrew xuereb
Nov 16th 2012, 17:21
Naqbel mieghek mija fil-mija. U fejn huma d-difensuri tal-annimali. Mela issa kull kelb li ma jkollux cippa jinqatel?
Maria Williams
Nov 16th 2012, 18:38
Mr Xuereb,anybody who speaks up for animals is an animal defender and that can include you. Your comment about dogs is also very valid, if we do not respect the rights of animals to live, today it will be sheep, tomorrow cats and dog.... if it hasn't already started!The Animal Welfare Council,by its very name, should be looking after the welfare of animals.This council is led by Dr Gruppetta!!!!
Chris Debono
Nov 16th 2012, 14:27
So this is simple.It only about money.Not about the sheep or because there is any thing wrong with them.
Franco Abela
Nov 16th 2012, 14:27
THE ANIMALS ARE THE ONES SUFFERING FROM THIS ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR... WHAT ABOUT THE FARMER?
IF HE IS NOT HARDLY PENALISED THIS WILL REPEAT ITSELF AS IT'S NOT HIM BEING PUT DOWN!
David Smith
Nov 16th 2012, 14:25
A joke if I may (no disrespect meant to anyone)...all they have to do is ask for a Presidential pardon!
Paul Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2012, 14:39
Good idea. How about the president adopting them. They will be a nice attraction at Sant Anton.
A. Mifsud
Nov 16th 2012, 14:24
...call the activists, or they only make noise when an animal circus is coming over?!
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 16th 2012, 14:39
Do you mean to call the activists so that they protest against the consumption of animal products?
Victor Pulis
Nov 16th 2012, 14:24
The final solution.
Whu not test the herd and cull only those found sick? Why are all the sheep considered sick just because they are not registered? This is state sunctioned animal cruelty.
David Smith
Nov 16th 2012, 14:18
Where is the health department in all this? If the concern is one of public health, shouldn't they have been part of the counter protest, and not let the chief veterinarian post a protest on his own?
Joe Julian Farrugia
Nov 16th 2012, 14:16
But why? Can't they be cured?
I never knew the courts have the right to kill!
Ronnie Callus
Nov 16th 2012, 14:14
It does not make sense to remove such a large flock of sheep because of not have been registered. It will make more sense if these are tested for any health problems and if not, immediately registered.For sure Malta being so a small place does not has the luxury to lose such an amount of animals which takes a long time to grow.Are the EU citizens giving them to us for free ???
M. Attard
Nov 16th 2012, 14:04
You dont kill animals by just presuming they are sick. You just dont take products from them but let them live. I wish you could say that about Dr Grupetta and put him down just like the animals. The animals can be used in a park or something like that.
Noel Cuschieri
Nov 16th 2012, 14:38
Dr Gruppetta is RIGHT; he is acting on behalf and for the safety of all the Maltese and Gozitan people, including you!!
Ramon Casha
Nov 16th 2012, 15:10
Oh I'm sure the farmer would be delighted to keep a large flock of sheep, and feed and care for them without ever being able to sell so much as a single ġbejna.
Maria Williams
Nov 16th 2012, 18:50
Mr Cuschieri, I do NOT want Dr Gruppetta to act on my behalf when it comes to murdering innocent animals.I don't eat meat or cheeslets so I don't believe in rearing animals for food.Punish the farmer by all means but not the sheep.Also how long has this case been going on?Why wasn't the farmer stopped before his herd grew to 500?Who has been buying his produce?Didn't they check his credentials?
Jesmond Farrugia
Nov 16th 2012, 13:05
THis is mad! Where are animal rights' activists when you need them....not a whisper? How can you kill an animal just because you presume it to be sick?
j brincat
Nov 16th 2012, 14:13
Why is it madness?
What about disease?
Who will pay for this except the taxpayers!
(jb)
James Tyrrell
Nov 16th 2012, 14:15
The farmers broke the law and put the health of people in jeopardy as well as causing untold damage to the Maltese farming industry, so yes the animals should be killed. What the hell gives some people the right to think that they are above the law? Ramon Casha below is right. The sanctioning of illegal buildings is the first thing I thought of when reading this.
John Dalton
Nov 16th 2012, 14:18
Jesmond, There is a simple solution to the problem,All that the farmers have to do is Register there livestock !! Could it be that this is not being done because the livestock could then be accounted for i,e Tax etc. Also the Registration of farm livestock is carried out in the interest of the consumers safety,Remember the cases of Live Stock diseases that cost the UK Farmers so much Euro Trade.
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 16th 2012, 14:33
All sheep are on death-row anyway. Such things only happen for the safety of non-animal rights activists who consume animal products.
Lawrence Attard
Nov 16th 2012, 11:53
Minn ma joqghodx ghar regolamenti w il ligijiet ma ghandux ghax joqghod jibki wara. Grupetta qed jimxi fl interess nazzjonali wara kollox.
Vincent Borg
Nov 16th 2012, 15:10
Naqbel mija fil mija ma Dr. A Gruppetta ghax qed juri li jahdem fl interess tal-poplu.
Huwa dmirhu li jaghmel hekk, u miexi skont il-ligi, barra minn hekk hu mhallas minn butna
Kieku l-kontra u tinqla xi epidemija, konna nghdu li Dr. A Gruppetta li ma ghamilx xoghlu
sew u nitolbu r-risenja tieghu immedjatament. Maltin meta ser nitghalmu, Prosit Dr. Gruppetta, kompli sejjer hekk
Ramon Casha
Nov 16th 2012, 10:34
This is like those building developments that take place without a permit until someone reports them, and then the developers expect MEPA to sanction what's already been done when it's too late.
These illegal livestock threaten the entire local industry - if their products find themselves on the market it could lead to an EU-wide ban of Maltese farm products.
Mr mike Knight
Nov 16th 2012, 13:09
I think its too late the eu has already got plans for a ban on some products, i read it somewhere only the other day.
J Giardina
Nov 16th 2012, 09:48
"...any animal not registered with the department was automatically presumed to be sick..." Really? How have we come to the state where we need the approval of the gvnt to farm animals? You want to know if they're sick? Instead of assuming because you haven't given them your holy approval, why don't you take a blood sample of a sample of them. Do you test all the ones which are registered?
Lisa Bonnici
Nov 16th 2012, 14:02
The reason is simple, the milk used for "gbejna" is not pasteurised and if its infected the consequences will be wide spread and detrimental not only to people who get sick but Malta as a whole (as Ramon Casha stated above, it could lead to an EU wide ban). The article states that mad cow cannot be tested for (in fact, even in blood donation there are very strict regulations because of mad cow).
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 16th 2012, 14:10
ever heard of Brucellosis or foot-and -mouth disease?
J Martinelli
Nov 16th 2012, 14:14
Public health which is protected by the govt. demands strict compliance and whoever tries to dodge the rules must suffer the consequences. If an outbreak of undulant fever contracted by consuming contaminated milk or cheeselets, who would you blame? The farmer? The consumer? You would be first to blame the govt.
Yes, registered herds are inspected from time to time and it obviously works.
Amante Reale
Nov 16th 2012, 14:22
> Do you test all the ones which are registered?
Yes. That's the whole point.
Ramon Casha
Nov 16th 2012, 15:08
Actually this has been the case for many years now. One of the rules for ensuring public safety is that every food item must be traceable all the way back to source, so if an outbreak occurs it can be clamped down quickly by tracing all animals from the same herd. Of course if a herd is unregistered it also can't be inspected from time to time, etc.
Please choose the reason of your report below: