United Kingdom-Farmer fined 8,000 pounds for TB violations.

A FARMER from East Lancashire has been left with an £8,000 legal bill after flouting laws designed to stop the spread of bovine TB.

Veteran sheep farmer Andrew John Barker was also prosecuted by Calderdale council for dumping sheep carcasses on land near Todmorden.

Barker, of Midgleton Farm, Bacup Road, pleaded guilty to 31 offences relating to breaches of legislation introduced to prevent the spread of Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) and foot and mouth disease.

He also admitted two charges, at Calderdale Magistrates Court in Halifax, of failing to properly dispose of sheep carcasses.

The prosecution followed an investigation by Calderdale council’s environmental health service, after the sheep bodies were discovered.

Further inquiries revealed that Barker had moved cattle both on to and off his farm when the animals on his farm were under movement restrictions because of his failure to test his cattle for Bovine TB.

He had moved both cattle and sheep in breach of the six-day ’standstill’ restriction, introduced to slow the spread of animal diseases.

The investigation also discovered that the farmer had already received advice from different authorities about the importance of keeping accurate farm and transport records, and the prompt appropriate disposal of fallen stock.

Coun Graham Reason, Calderdale’s cabinet member for health and social care, said: "Animal health legislation is incredibly important in helping to prevent or slow the spread of diseases like foot and mouth.

"This case demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibility for disease control, and demonstrates our close partnership working with the state Animal Health Service and DEFRA. We will not hesitate to pursue those who refuse to follow the rules."

The magistrates, who heard that the farmer had more than 2,500 sheep and cattle, fined Barker £5,340 with £3,000 costs.