A CUMBRIAN farmer has been fined more than £27,000 for a catalogue of record keeping failures which could have led to the spread of serious diseases such as Bovine TB and BSE.

Michael Dixon of WR & JE Dixon pleaded guilty to the offences at Carlisle City Magistrates' Court after charges following a "detailed and lengthy" investigation by Trading Standards officers into malpractice by the farming business.

Mr Dixon, Beech House, Hayton, Aspatria, pleaded guilty to 12 specimen charges and asked for a further 249 related offences to be taken in to consideration.

During the three year investigation, Cumbria Trading Standards found that Mr Dixon had failed to apply for cattle passports within the specified time scale laid down by legislation and had manipulated the dates of birth of calves born on the holding by up to eight months in order to get a passport for them.

MORE TOP STORIES:

This led to further investigations, which revealed that the farming business had failed to report the movements of cattle on and off its holding. The business also failed to keep adequate records. It also came to light that cattle had been sold to unsuspecting farmers through local auction marts with false dates of birth rendering the animals worthless to the purchaser.

Magistrates sentenced Mr Dixon for the 12 offences after taking account of the 249 other similar offences. The bench accepted he was negligent and was of previous good character. They viewed them as serious offences in terms of public safety, traceability and disease control.

After the hearing on September 21, Cllr Janet Willis, portfolio holder for Trading Standards, said: “The spread of disease can have a devastating impact on farmers and the rural economy.

"Although the fine may seem like a lot for one business, it is nothing compared to the potential cost to the local economy that Mr Dixon was risking through poor monitoring and recording practices.

"We recognise that the majority of farmers take their responsibilities seriously, but this sends a clear message to those who don’t, that Trading Standards will thoroughly investigate and prosecute when necessary.”