Blaenau Gwent Farmer Pleads Guilty To Livestock Offences

A Blaenau Gwent farmer has been convicted and given a 12 week term of imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for his failure to collect and securely store his fallen livestock pending their final disposal to an approved fallen stock collector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Howell George Jukes, of 44 Stanfield Street, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, appeared in Cwmbran Magistrates court on Monday, 4th April, 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Jukes owns a farm known as Hafod-y-Dafal, Cwm, Ebbw Vale and on 24th June 2015, officers of Powys County Council Trading Standards, acting on behalf of Blaenau Gwent Council, visited the farm in response to a complaint and discovered a large number of sheep carcasses on the farm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Jukes was charged with 6 offences under the Animal by Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014, with a further 8 other offences being taken into consideration. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The correct storage, transportation and disposal of this material is important in preventing the spread of disease. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Jukes pleaded guilty at court and received a 12 week term of imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. In addition, the Council was awarded £1,581 costs and Mr Jukes had to pay a £80 victim surcharge, bringing a total of £1,661. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

David Thompson, Service Manager Public Protection for Blaenau Gwent Council, says: “This case reinforces the Council’s decision to collaborate with Powys County Council on animal welfare issues as we continue to benefit from their officers’ expertise and experience in these matters. We are pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of these offences when sentencing as the incorrect storage of livestock carcasses can potentially lead to the spread of disease and pose a risk to the public. This case is a reminder to anyone who responsible for the welfare and disposal of livestock that failure to act responsibly will be acted upon.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Powell, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “The farming communities of Blaenau Gwent and Powys must ensure that the storage, transportation and disposal of this material is done correctly. They must also ensure that all livestock are adequately cared for. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“If they do not follow the legislation in place then we have a duty to investigate and will take the appropriate action if we find any breaches. This case sends out a strong message that we will take appropriate action if we find any breaches. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The level of sentence imposed by the court clearly demonstrates the seriousness of the case.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​