Farmer battles cattle record conviction

A County Durham farmhand who breached cattle regulations is taking his conviction to the High Court in a bid to get it overturned.

Raymond Shepherd was found guilty of failing to provide cattle records after he lost his appeal at Carlisle Crown Court on Tuesday (16 February).

He was fined £2500 and ordered to pay costs of £5000.

But Mr Shepherd, of West Musgrave Farm, Bishop Auckland, disagreed with the decision and said he would take his case to the High Court.

He was initially taken to court by Cumbria Trading Standards for failing to produce documentation for cattle it claimed he owned.

But he said he was a casual farmhand and had never been keeper of the cattle in question.

His solicitor, David Kirwan, said his case would have significance for farmers across the country who employ casual labour.