MAN FINED $9,000 FOR DEALING CATTLE WITHOUT A LICENCE

November 4, 2008

KITCHENER - A Burford resident has been convicted for dealing cattle without a licence. The charges arose from an investigation by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

On October 21, 2008, Richard Walter ("Butch") Clare pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kitchener to one count under the Livestock and Livestock Products Act. The court heard that between June 1 and 29, 2006, and between September 15 and October 16, 2006, Clare had been engaging in the business of buying and selling cattle without a dealer's licence as required under the act. Clare also pleaded guilty to a second count under the act, as an officer and director of 1553603 Ontario Inc., for dealing cattle without a licence between July 5 and September 14, 2006.

Justice of the Peace Robert Gay sentenced Clare to a fine of $9,000 plus victim fine surcharge.

In Ontario, all livestock dealers (abattoirs, associations, livestock auction markets, country dealers and packing plants) are required to be licensed under the LLPA. This legislation is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) with investigative and prosecution services provided by MNR.

Anyone with information regarding violations of provincial food and inspection legislation is asked to contact Nicola Finlay, OMAFRA's acting compliance and enforcement manager at (519) 826-4537 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information, contact: