A Gloucestershire farmer has been ordered to pay out more than £2,000 in fines and costs after breaching a notice aimed at preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

In a case brought by Gloucestershire Trading Standards animal health section, Ian Slatter of Naunton Farm, Toddington, pleaded guilty to 11 offences of moving cattle on and off his holding without licences, in breach of a notice served on him by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

The TB restriction notice was issued after a number of cattle on his holding were confirmed as having bovine tuberculosis.

These notices require that all cattle movements to or from premises where TB has been found must be licensed by APHA.

However, although Ian Slatter confirmed that he was fully aware of this requirement he failed to apply for licences and continued to move cattle onto and off his holding.

Officers from trading standards had visited the farm in August last year to remind Slatter of the need to get licences for cattle movements, but he failed to do so.

Following a hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court, Slatter was fined £700 with costs to the trading standards service of £1,300 and a victim surcharge of £30, making a total of £2,030.

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said: "Controls around tuberculosis are there for a reason, to help prevent the spread of disease and safeguard the livelihoods of the county's farmers.

"Flouting these restrictions is unacceptable and it is important that we hold any operators who breach this to account.

"This case sends a clear message to those who don't follow the rules, that Trading Standards will thoroughly investigate and prosecute when necessary."

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