Farmer ordered to pay £2,000 for TB cattle breach

A farmer must pay more than £2,000 after he admitted breaching TB cattle movement rules.

Ian Slatter of Naunton Farm, Toddington, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to 11 offences of moving cattle on and off his holding without licences.

This was in breach of a notice served by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), under the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2014, which limits the movement of cattle after a positive TB test is confirmed.

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Mr Slatter appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 6 March and he admitted he was fully aware he needed to apply for licenses from APHA while being subject to the notice.

But he had failed to do so despite being reminded by officers from Trading Standards when they visited him in August 2016.

Magistrates fined him £700 for the offence and ordered him to pay court costs of £1,300, plus a victim surcharge of £30.

Speaking after sentencing, Gloucestershire County Councillor Nigel Moor said: “Controls around tuberculosis are there for a reason, to help prevent the spread of disease and safeguard the livelihoods of the county’s farmers.

“Flouting these restrictions is unacceptable and it is important we hold any operators who breach this to account.

“This case sends a clear message to those who don’t follow the rules that Trading Standards will thoroughly investigate and prosecute when necessary.”