A farmer from Wigton has been fined for failing to dispose of animal carcasses following an investigation by Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards service.
John Richardson Armstrong of Raby Cote, Kirkbride, Wigton appeared at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Wednesday 9 October charged with offences under the Animal By-Product Regulations for failing to dispose of cattle and sheep carcasses without undue delay.
Magistrates found Mr Armstrong guilty of failing to dispose of multiple carcasses without undue delay present on land and buildings controlled by John Richardson Armstrong on a date prior to 23 February 2018. Mr Armstrong also pleaded guilty after failing to comply with notices dated and served between 23 February 2018 and 10 April 2018 requiring the disposal of animal by-products including a number of cattle and sheep carcases and 12 new born calves.
Mr Armstrong was fined £560 including a victim surcharge payment and ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs.
W.J and J Armstrong of Raby Cote, Kirkbride, Wigton were also charged with offences under the Cattle Identification Regulations 2017.
Magistrates found the partnership of W.J and J Armstrong guilty of furnishing a Cumbria Trading Standards inspector with false or misleading information on 9 March 2018. The partnership also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a notice restricting the movement of cattle off Raby Cote farm, by moving 27 cattle on 15 July 2018 and moving 32 cattle on 17 July 2019. They also pleaded guilty for not registering a birth between 20 January 2018 and 9 March 2018. There was a further guilty plea for failure to record birth and ear tags in a register between 23 February 2015 and 23 February 2017.
W.J and J Armstrong were given a conditional discharge for 12 months on all offences to run concurrently and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and £800 towards prosecution costs.
Cllr Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “The animal by-product regulations are in place to try and prevent the spread of disease by ensuring that farmers dispose of dead carcases in the correct manner and without unnecessary delay. Cumbria Trading Standards service works with the farming community to help them meet their legal duties and responsibilities, however, any person who has disregard for animal health and welfare legislation will be investigated and we will take legal action if necessary.”
