A farmer from Ceredigion, Wales, has admitted interfering with a TB test and accepted a caution.
The herdsman also admitted to another animal welfare offence of injecting the necks of five cattle with a substance, thought to be diesel.
The TB test of the herd was carried out in December 2016. Investigations revealed that the TB injection site had been tampered with in five animals.
The substance that was injected was identified using investigation techniques that clearly showed the presence of foreign material in the animals. Advanced forensic techniques identified it as a diesel-type substance.
In a statement made to Ceredigion County Council Animal Health officers, the individual admitted to the offences as a result of increasing financial pressure on the family business.
The significant compensation that would have been obtained for each animal was the main motive.
The perpetrator had knowledge of others interfering with TB tests and took advice from an, as yet, unidentified acquaintance.
After the vet’s visit to carry out the test, the perpetrator injected the cattle with a hydrocarbon liquid to mimic the results of a positive test for TB before the vet returned to check the test results.
Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Cabinet member for Public Protection said: “Officers from the council worked in partnership with colleagues from government departments to identify charges.
“The council is pleased that the matter has been dealt with by an admission of guilt and settled by caution.
“The council will always work in the public interest to bring such offenders to book and to highlight such fraudulent actions.
It’s simply not acceptable that this abhorrent practice is taking place, as it tarnishes all law-abiding and responsible farmers.
“The council will not hesitate to deal with such cases as they arise, to stamp out such blatant criminal activity.”
