Farmers who mistreat their animals face not only a fine but also risk their way of life because may be disqualified to continue working on a farm for a period of up to three years.
The Xunta has toughened the sanctions against the owners of the farms before «the growing concern for animal rights» and the greater demands to guarantee “sustainable and ethical practices in agricultural production.” And this has been reflected, through a legal modification, in the draft Fiscal Measures Law that accompanies the 2025 Budgets.
Not having the animals in good conditions, overcrowded, with a lack of food or veterinary care, as well as hitting them will be punished not only with a fine but the owner may be removed from his activity if it is a serious or very serious infraction. or if there is repetition. “It may be agreed to disqualify the person who owns the farm or the person responsible for the animals from exercising the profession, trade or trade related to animals, as well as from holding them for a maximum period of three years,” it states. legal reform. This is done “as a correction, security or control measure, which prevents the continuity of the damage.”
Although these bad practices are not the majority, tThey are hardly an exception. Just a month ago, a resident of Lugo, owner of a herd of goats, was denounced by agents of the Civil Guard for not having taken one of his animals to the veterinarian, which suffered a fracture in its leg and, as a result, lost part of the limb.
In 2020 a rancher from Ourense He was convicted of letting his cattle die on a sheep and goat farm in Barbadás (Ourense). He was accused of “omissive conduct in the treatment given to the animals that were in his custody, which he left in a state of abandonment, cohabiting supposedly sick cattle with healthy animals, not providing veterinary care, nor going to the ship to check if they had food and drink.
Another recent case was that of a neighbor of chanted that left 39 cows to die of hunger.
Confiscation
When cases like these happen, the Xunta may now disqualify those responsible, but in addition, as stated in the 2018 law, it may agree the sacrifice of animals in the slaughterhouse to avoid suffering or confiscate them.
In the event that the autonomous Administration seizes the livestock and has to transport it, it will charge the expenses to the person responsible for the exploitation. The animals will be referred to non-profit entities that carry out activities related to animal welfare and protection as long as they are in good condition.
The Xunta can sell confiscated livestock through public auction or direct award. The income from both the sanctions imposed and the marketing of these animals will become part of a fund with which the expenses incurred by the autonomous Administration derived from the adoption of provisional measures in the sanctioning procedures in matters of animal welfare will be covered. .
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