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Suspended sentence for farmer who risked spreading TB

A farmer in the UK has been handed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, after he “risked spreading TB” by failing to appropriately dispose of farmed animal remains.

Wayne Parker, 32, from Mildenhall pleaded guilty to 8 counts of animal health offences at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 5th.

He was ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge and Suffolk County Council Trading Standards were also awarded full costs.

Mr Parker was charged on counts under the Animal Health Act 1981, the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 for contravening disposal requirements, the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 for failing to keep records, notifying movement and deaths.

Amongst his offences, Mr Parker moved large quantities of cattle without following the required processes, including Bovine Tuberculosis testing.

The court heard how he also risked spread of the disease by failing to dispose of animal by-products in the correct manner.

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Withdrawal of passports

When sentencing Mr Parker, the magistrates bench, said: “The court finds the matters serious and custody is warranted, [the offences are] of such high risk and economic harm.”

A Suffolk County Council Trading Standards spokesperson said: “There are many potential dangerous consequences to Mr Parker’s actions, one of the most serious being the contravention of the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2014.”

“Bovine Tuberculosis is contagious amongst cattle, other mammals and humans. It is a disease which is taken very seriously by us.”

“His disregard for keeping the required records and movements of cattle, has impacted other people in the supply chain.”

“18 other businesses had cattle passports withdrawn due to lack of traceability, and as a result, may suffer significant financial loss.”

Councillor Richard Rout, cabinet member for Environment and Public Protection at Suffolk County Council, described Parker’s offences as “extremely serious”.

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