Farmer flouts rules on tagging animals

May 14 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

A NORTHUMBERLAND farmer has pleaded guilty to failing to apply proper ear tags to cattle in his herd. Leslie Morrison, 53, of Ryal, Matfen, pleaded guilty to two offences and asked for a further 12 offences to be taken into consideration at Tynedale Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The court heard how Northumberland County Council Trading Standards officers found 17 animals without the proper ear tag identification when they visited Heatherwick Farm, Otterburn, in December last year.

As a result of that investigation, 15 of the cattle had to be destroyed in January as they could not be properly identified.

The court was also told that Morrison, who had a herd of about 80 cattle, has similar previous convictions for failing to apply tags to his cattle.

Defending himself yesterday, he said that a “series of events” had led to the failure to tag the animals.

He added: “It was just one of those scenarios where things got left. I couldn’t tag them or apply for a passport because there wasn’t time.”

Morrison also said that changes in regulations had made it harder to comply with legislation.

Farmers have to tag and register their animals so that all cattle can be traced through the food chain.

Chairman of the bench Nick Girlder said: “You appear to have shown a lack of response to previous sentences and there is also a disregard for public health issues that can arise.” The case was adjourned for three weeks for reports before sentencing, with Morrison released on unconditional bail.