4th November 2011
Specimen charges arising from 2,500 cattle identification offences over four years cost a South Wales cattle dealer £12,170 at Newport. Trading standards report that offences related to moves on and off holdings under the dealer’s control in Neath, Port Talbot and Monmouthshire involving cattle moved through the local livestock markets as well as various other premises across South Wales. Some livestock had left premises before their arrival had been reported. Officers said this behaviour could have severely affected the speed of tracing meaning unnecessary delays and potential further spread of disease. David Williams, chairman of the Badger Trust, said: ”Bovine tuberculosis is easily spread by crimes like this because cattle had been moved in and out of an area affected by the disease. Too many in the livestock industry are either involved or turn a blind eye, yet unreasonably blame only the badger while the livestock industry continues to clamour for Ministers to enforce culling. Until the livestock industry stops dealers and farmers breaking the law and puts its house in order it will never get clear of disease”. Speaking on behalf of Monmouthshire, County Councillor Phil Murphy said that such ignorance of disease control requirements was unacceptable. "This should be a reminder to the farming community of the need to ensure compliance with disease control legislation. It highlights the importance of traceability with livestock", he said. Under the cattle identification regulations it is a requirement that all moves on and off livestock premises are notified to the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) within three days of any movement taking place. The court heard that the defendant had failed repeatedly to comply with this requirement with moves being reported up to six months late and sometimes not at all. Magistrates fined the defendant a total of £7,370 and ordered him to pay £4,800 costs.