A BLAENAU Gwent farmer has been fined £7,163 for leaving 40 sheep carcasses five cattle carcasses the way he treated, stored and failed to notify authorities about the welfare and condition of his livestock.

Howell Jukes, 66, of 44 Stanfield Street, Cwm, appeared in court earlier this month (September 12, 2013)

Jukes owns Hafod y Dafal farm in Cwm, Ebbw Vale. In January officers from Powys County Council, who carry out animal welfare work under a joint working initiative with Blaenau Gwent, were alerted by the RSPCA to a number of sheep carcases that had been discovered at the farm and concerns about the welfare of the animals being kept there.

During inspections which took place on January 22 and 24, 40 sheep carcases and five cattle carcasses were found across the farm.

In conjunction with a veterinary inspector, it was determined that animals at the farm had been caused unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Jukes was charged with two offences under Section 9 (2) of the Act and received a £1000 fine for each of the offences.

The inspection also found Jukes had committed a further four offences in relation to the storage and disposal of animal by products, known as Category 2 material, under the Animal By Products (Enforcement ) (No2) (Wales) Regulations 2011.

The correct storage, transportation and disposal of this material is important in preventing the spread of disease. Jukes was fined £250 for each of these four offences, related to sheep carcases and a further £1000 for a cattle carcass.

Jukes also committed two offences under the Cattle Identification (Wales) Regulations 2007 which relate to the notification of cattle deaths to the Welsh Government and was fined £500 for each of these offences.

In addition to the charges above - which Jukes pleaded guilty to at Magistrates court - he also admitted 88 other offences relating to the above.

The local authority was awarded £2,043 costs and Jukes had to pay a £120 victim surcharge, bringing a total of £7,163.

Councillor Keith Hayden, Blaenau Gwent council’s executive member for waste management and environment, said: “I hope this sends out a strong message to farmers and livestock owners that the welfare of their animals is paramount. We will not hesitate to work with organisations such as the RSPCA to bring about court proceedings and secure a conviction.”