Farmer fined £3k over dead sheep offence

Failing to apply a stain to two lamb carcases has cost a north Powys farmer over £3,000, Powys County Council has announced.

 

Stephen Thomas Jones of Arllan Fawr, Penybontfawr pleaded guilty one charge at Welshpool Magistrates Court in a prosecution led by the council's Trading Standards Service.

 

Two further charges against Mr Jones were withdrawn by the service.

 

Magistrates heard that officers found two lamb carcases following an inspection at his premises in December 2009. Mr Jones admitted the animals had been 'home slaughtered' but he had failed to stain the head and ilium of the carcases, known as 'Specified Risk Material', as required by EC Regulations and the Animal By-Product (Wales) Regulations 2006.

 

Magistrates took into account his previous good character and his guilty plea when fining him £1,000 for the offence. The council was awarded £2,000 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge was also levied.

 

Cllr Graham Brown, Board Member for Public Protection, said: "The control of animal by-products is an important element in preventing the transmission of animal disease between animals and such activity is carefully regulated for a good reason.”