A Llandysul farmer has been fined a total of £6,091.59 for breaches of cattle regulations, Ceredigion County Council has said.
Gary Davies, of Bercoed Uchaf, Bangor Teifi, Llandysul, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007, two offences under the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 and three offences under the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010.
The magistrates in Aberystwyth Justice Centre issued a fine of £200 for each of the Cattle Identification Regulations breaches, £300 for the two breaches of the Disease Control Order and £500 for each offence under TB Order.
The total fine was £2,200 which included a £880 surcharge. The council was awarded £3,011.59 of costs in bringing the matter to court leaving a total fine of £6,091.59.
The court heard how Davies consistently failed to report the deaths, or off movements of cattle since 2021 in contravention of the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007.
The accurate maintenance of animal movements is critical to animal disease control, and the integrity of the food chain, the council said.
There were also movements of cattle on and off the holding within the six-day standstill period which is a contravention of the Disease Control Order.
TB restrictions
Davies also pleaded guilty to the movement of a total of 99 cattle on and off the holding whilst under TB restrictions.
These controls are critical to the control of TB in cattle, and the prevention of spread within the herd and the neighbouring herds, Ceredigion County Council said.
The magistrates heard how Public Protection officers from the council had visited and written to Davies on several occasions since 2020 identifying the breaches of legislation and giving advice on the legal requirements.
Ceredigion’s cabinet member for public protection, Cllr Matthew Vaux said: “The council’s Public Protection team supports the farming industry in Ceredigion by providing advice and guidance to farmers to meet the legal standards.
“The great majority of farms in Ceredigion fully comply with their obligations and are a credit to the industry.
“However, in this instance it was disappointing that the advice given was not heeded which meant the authority had little option but to bring this case to court.”
