Ed: Tasmanian Times today presents the basic details of a dispute involving a former Flinders Island fisherman/farmer, Paul ‘Charlie’ Fearnley and Queensland primary industry officials and a property where Charlie’s cattle have been agisted. Charlie says he has been in a desperate fight to rescue and save his beloved cattle. TT cannot verify the details of the dispute … but one thing is certain and stark: In the Abbottland that Australia has become it is the most vulnerable who suffer, the least able who go under … in this case, apparently, Charlie’s cows …
To Whom It May Concern,
This is to certify that I examined a cow herd on 28th May 2014 and made the following observations …
Dowload veterinarian’s letter:
• To whom it may concern,
My name is Stephen McMahon and am writing on behalf of Paul (Charlie) Fearnley in regards to his herd of cattle in QLD.
…
What started as a dispute over the neglect and “disappearance” of Charlie’s cows agisted at (a farm in), QLD has escalated into a fight to keep a herd of cattle alive against all odds.
Unfortunately, the whole disgrace could have been avoided 10 months ago when Charlie approached the Department of Primary Industry about the plight of his cows but was told there was no case of mistreatment and that the video evidence was “old footage” even though the dates on the videos stated otherwise. Nor did they notice all the dead and dying cows on the property that Charlie was having to deal with. The RSPCA could do nothing nor could or can a lot of other agencies due to state legislation.
Landmark ( here ), who have the ability to remove the cattle if significant neglect was proven, “saw no evil” either and when approached by Charlie with a deal to clear the loan with the sale of 200 head … Landmark … refused the sale (stated on tape). Now, ten months later, with prices on the rise and winter setting in, (Landmark) has decided in (its) wisdom to clear the debt, but the cows are so poor they can barely stand making them worth $100 a head on a good day when once the same cow sold for $1000 on a bad one.
Markets being what they are though, rise and fall and after falling over the past eight months have bottomed out and are coming up again so why push the sale now when, if managed correctly AND humanely one could get the herd back in condition and ready to sell in a few months when the markets were more favourable which then brings the question as to whose interests are being protected…
If the herd doesn’t get moved and fed they will not make the winter … but to do the right thing the number of cattle needing sale would be 2/3 less, leaving Charlie with a healthy herd…. And as for the DPI, considering they are “holding all evidence” close to their chest while the case is under investigation, are allowing those cattle to be transported and sold in the condition they are in (the cattle you see in the vet report).
Legally, cattle in such condition are not allowed to be moved as they are too unfit … Hopefully you will receive footage of the same cows from the vet report recorded today on Charlie’s phone (TT received the footage of healthy cows, but was unable to upload) after only two weeks of decent feed and veterinary intervention.
Charlie had to buy his own cows back just to obtain that very vet report as he couldn’t find a vet willing or able to enter the property (with which he has a dispute). So who (is able) to swing such power? I don’t know but it would seem QLD (supports its own).
All I Know is cows need feed and care, not a box on a shelf.
Regards,
Steve
• To whom it may concern,
I have been associated with Charlie when i was working as a livestock agent for Elders Rural Services in Tasmania ,on Flinders island where the Fearnlys were a loyal and respected farming family.
I worked with Charlie over the course of three years and found him to be a caring and devoted farmer towards his livestock and treated his cattle herd with allot of affection and pride.
Charlie was always good with his accounts and never liked to be owing money.
Charlie to my knowledge has never or could miss treat any livestock as this is a large part of his livelihood and is against his character.
Yours truly,
Brad Crofts
