Two Pembrokeshire farmers who illegally moved their animals during the initial stages of the recent foot and mouth outbreak have been ordered to pay a total of £1,820. Brothers David James and Hugh James committed the offence on Saturday, August 4, during a country-wide restriction on livestock movement. David James, of Langdon Mill Farm, Jeffreyston, and Hugh James, of West Farm, Reynalton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court last week, where they denied a charge under Section 72(A) Animal Health Act 1981 for breaching the Declaration of a Restriction Zone under Article 38(1) Foot and Mouth Disease (Wales) Order 2006. Magistrates found both defendants guilty following a trial. David James was fined £650 and ordered to pay costs of £300. Hugh James was fined £570, with costs of £300. The prosecution was brought by Pembrokeshire County Council. Nigel Watts, the council's trading standards and animal welfare manager, said the case had highlighted the consequences of failing to comply with legislation and heed the advice of animal welfare inspectors. "I believe this is one of the first cases to be brought in Wales for failure to comply with movement restrictions during a serious disease outbreak," he said. "The decision to prosecute these farmers was made as both defendants refused to take advice about movement restrictions during the first days of the Foot and Mouth outbreak - even when told face to face by a council animal welfare inspector. "Compliance with disease control measures by Welsh farmers has generally been excellent. "Unfortunately, the James brothers let Pembrokeshire farmers down and ignored instructions. Their actions could easily have put the local farming community at risk."
