A SOMERSET farmer has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 by a court for breaching animal movement laws.

Trevor Bolton, of Brookfield Farm, Leighton Lane, Evercreech, pleaded guilty to seven offences when he appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Courts this week (week commencing November 2).

He admitted:

  • moving 15 bovine animals when a skin test had not been applied to each animal contrary to the Animal Health Act 1981;
  • moving 25 bovine animals from an exempt market to a destination that was not permitted;
  • the same charge involving 28 bovine animals;
  • failing to notify the Secretary of State of the movement of those animals;
  • failing to ensure a cattle passport was completed within 36 hours;
  • failing to make an Animal Transportation document available to the relevant authority;
  • acting as an animal transporter without the appropriate authorisation.

Bolton was fined £1,000 on each of the seven offences and ordered to pay a total of £3,350 costs and £170 victim surcharge.