A MAJOR investigation into enforcement of farm animal health, welfare and transport regulations revealed more than 65,000 breaches over 21 months. Animal welfare campaigners said today their research also shows huge disparities in enforcement across England and Wales. The Badger Trust used the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to assess how consistently farm animal health, welfare and transport rules are being enforced in English and Welsh counties where there is a persistent problem with bovine tuberculosis (TB). It reveals the health and welfare of farm animals is a "county lottery" with livestock in some counties potentially receiving far less protection than others. The Trust said limited enforcement activity in some counties meant that infectious disease controls, such as the pre-movement testing of cattle for TB, may prove to be ineffective. From Jan 1 2004 to September 30 2005, farmers, hauliers, abattoirs and livestock markets in England and Wales breached farm animal health, welfare and transport regulations more than 65,000 times. Ten prosecutions were launched each week in 2004 (526 prosecutions). In 2005, the number of prosecutions rose to 534. Fines for successful prosecutions range from paltry sums to £101,000. | 
