A FARMER from south Oxfordshire has been fined for delaying disposing of dead animals and risking a disease outbreak by not keeping track of livestock.

David Gow and his farming company A.H. Cornish (Appleton) Ltd, which is based at West Farm, near Abingdon, were found guilty at Oxford Magistrates' Court, in a case brought by Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards.

Mr Gow, was fined £2,250 and ordered to pay £2,250 costs, while the company was fined £800 and ordered to pay £2,104.88 costs.

The charges, which Mr Gow pleaded guilty to, included one offence under the Animal By-Products Regulations 2013 and four offences under The Cattle Identification Regulations 2007.

Mr Gow was convicted of ‘not properly disposing of fallen stock without undue delay’ and ‘failing to appropriately manage the important traceability aspects of livestock management’.

These requirements were introduced as a result of national incidents such as foot and mouth disease and BSE ‘mad cow disease’.

Oxfordshire County Council investigating officer Richard Healy said: “Protecting Oxfordshire from animal disease outbreaks protects us all and allows for a thriving rural economy.

"This case should be noted by those who seek to sidestep the regulations and jeopardise the integrity of the chain from farm to fork.

“Businesses who do not follow the rules can gain an unfair commercial advantage over the vast majority of businesses that trade lawfully.”