A FERWIG farming company have been fined £300 for each of eight Cattle Identification Regulations breaches along with a further £2,000 for the breach of TB Regulations.

It follows a prosecution brought by Ceredigion County Council on William Lloyd Jenkins, a director of Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd, who operate the dairy farm at Ty Hen, Ferwig.

The defendant pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007, and one under the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010.

Magistrates heard how Jenkins had consistently failed to report the deaths, or off movements of cattle since 2018.

In total, there were over 420 instances of cattle not being reported either dead or moved from the holding in contravention of the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007.

The Aberystwyth Justice Centre hearing was told accurate maintenance of animal movements was critical to animal disease control and the integrity of the food chain.

In addition, the defendant also pleaded guilty to the movement of an Inconclusive TB reactor without a license or authorisation from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

These controls were said to be critical to the control of TB in cattle, and the prevention of spread within the herd and the locality.

The Bench heard how the Public Protection service of the council had written to company directors on several occasions since 2018 identifying the breaches of legislation and advising of the legal requirements.

Cllr Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “The Public Protection service does support the farming industry in Ceredigion by providing advice and guidance to farmers to meet the legal standards.

"However, in this instance it was disappointing that the standards did not improve.

“The reporting of animal movements is essential to maintain traceability of livestock, keeping the food chain secure, and is also critical for disease control purposes that safeguards the whole of the farming industry in Ceredigion.”