On Wednesday 17 July 2024, at Aberystwyth Justice Centre, the Magistrates passed sentence on Mr. Gary Davies, of Bercoed Uchaf, Bangor Teifi, Llandysul.
Mr. Davies 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 heard how Mr. Davies had little regard to the disease control measures in place to protect the farming industry. He 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. 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. This is another important control in the prevention of the spread of animal disease.
The defendant also pleaded guilty to the movement of a total of 99 cattle on and off the holding whilst under tuberculosis (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.
The Magistrates heard how Public Protection officers from Ceredigion County Council had visited and written to Mr. 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, Councillor Matthew Vaux stated: “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.”
The Magistrates court 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 £2200 which included a £880 surcharge. The Council were awarded £3011.59 of costs in bringing the matter to court leaving a total fine of £6091.59.
