Cattle farmer jailed for flouting TB rules

A cattle farmer has been jailed for failing to register his animals to ensure their movements could be traced.


Andrew Newsam, of Dickley Down Farm, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.


He admitted breaching the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007 by failing to provide an animal for testing and eight additional offences of Cattle Identification Regulations 2007.


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Mr Newsam, 48, was jailed after magistrates activated a 20-week suspended sentence he was handed last June for failing to test his animals for TB.


Last Thursday’s case (11 September) was brought by Dorset County Council trading standards, following an investigation by animal health officers.


The court was told that Mr Newsam failed to present a calf for testing after he claimed it was too young. But an investigation found that the animal should have been tested because it was aged over 42 days.


The eight cattle ID regulations offences related to his failure to register the birth of a cow on five separate occasions and not notifying the authorities of the deaths of cows on three separate occasions.


The court heard that trading standards officers sent Mr Newsam letters reminding him of his obligations, but he overlooked the warnings.


Speaking after the case, Neil Martin, of Dorset County Council’s trading standards, said: “This sentence sends out a very clear message that the courts will not tolerate farmers who not comply with the legislations.”


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