A LLANDYSUL farmer has been fined a total of £1,200 by Aberystwyth magistrates after a council officer found the decaying carcasses of dozens of dead sheep and four dead cattle on his land.

Dylan Ceredig Evans, of Tir Blaenant, Glynarthen, was also ordered to pay costs of £2055.33 after pleading guilty to three charges relating to fallen stock, one of unnecessary suffering, four charges relating to failure to take action to treat sheep for scab and one of failing to submit sheep movement documents.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £150.

Ceredigion County Council took action against Mr Evans after an animal health officer visited Pantygronw Farm on 11 February, 2015 following a complaint from a member of the public.

On that day 18 sheep carcasses were seen in various stages of decay.

The officer returned to the farm on 12 May, 2015 to discover a further 22 carcasses comprising of a 18 dead sheep and four dead cows.

“The Animal By Products (Enforcement) Wales Regulations 2014 requires fallen stock to be disposed of without undue delay as they pose a risk to animal and public health,” said a council spokesperson.

Two further visits to Pantygronw Farm in May and June 2015 found further animal welfare issues in that sheep were found to be suffering from scab and a ram lamb  had been left to suffer being unable to stand, was in poor body condition and was also suffering from the effects of flystrike.

“Mr Evans had also failed to submit a total of 79 animal movement licences to the Local Authority within the stipulated time period of three days,” added the spokesperson.

“The submission of these licences is essential to ensure traceability of animals for disease control purposes.”

In passing sentence, magistrates said these offences could have been avoided if Mr Evans had heeded the advice of the council officer.