Pendarren Farm

Two Pontardawe men who had not disposed of animal carcasses and material correctly have been fined at Swansea Magistrates Court.

Following a complaint, Neath Port Talbot Trading Standards & Animal Health officers attended Pendarren Farm, Cilmaengwyn, Pontardawe SA8 4TX Farm owned by John Gethin James, aged 63, and Ieuan James, aged 72.

The two men advised officers that the animal remains that were not consumed had been buried on site. One of the sheds had been equipped to facilitate slaughter of the lambs. The animal remains were then buried by excavator at the farm, contrary to the proper requirements of disposal.

In Neath Port Talbot, Trading Standards & Animal Health have responsibility to enforce the Animal By Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 to ensure compliance in the handling, storage and disposal of animal by products.

The regulations are there to prevent the spread of animal disease via consumption of animal by products by wildlife or domestic animals and to protect the environment, including watercourses.

In interview, the defendants stated they had stunned the animals and slaughtered them humanely, but admitted to knowingly burying animal by products on the farm contrary to the regulatory requirements.

They admitted to slaughtering 20 lambs over a two year period. The remains of 8 lambs were buried onsite in April 2018, with a further 12 lambs in October 2019. The officers found evidence that the brothers had used proper animal by product collection services in the past, but had chosen not to on the occasion in question.

Both defendants pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates Court on the 28th of July. Ieuan James was fined £184, John Gethin James was fined £290, they were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £370.

Councillor Leanne Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Protection said:

“Food safety and animal welfare go hand in hand and the department takes its responsibility in protecting the food chain and the environment very seriously.

Two Pontardawe men who had not disposed of animal carcasses and material correctly have been fined at Swansea Magistrates Court.

Following a complaint, Neath Port Talbot Trading Standards & Animal Health officers attended Pendarren Farm, Cilmaengwyn, Pontardawe SA8 4TX Farm owned by John Gethin James, aged 63, and Ieuan James, aged 72.

The two men advised officers that the animal remains that were not consumed had been buried on site. One of the sheds had been equipped to facilitate slaughter of the lambs. The animal remains were then buried by excavator at the farm, contrary to the proper requirements of disposal.

In Neath Port Talbot, Trading Standards & Animal Health have responsibility to enforce the Animal By Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 to ensure compliance in the handling, storage and disposal of animal by products.

The regulations are there to prevent the spread of animal disease via consumption of animal by products by wildlife or domestic animals and to protect the environment, including watercourses.

In interview, the defendants stated they had stunned the animals and slaughtered them humanely, but admitted to knowingly burying animal by products on the farm contrary to the regulatory requirements.

They admitted to slaughtering 20 lambs over a two year period. The remains of 8 lambs were buried onsite in April 2018, with a further 12 lambs in October 2019. The officers found evidence that the brothers had used proper animal by product collection services in the past, but had chosen not to on the occasion in question.

Both defendants pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates Court on the 28th of July. Ieuan James was fined £184, John Gethin James was fined £290, they were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £370.

Councillor Leanne Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Protection said:

“Food safety and animal welfare go hand in hand and the department takes its responsibility in protecting the food chain and the environment very seriously.

An animal health disease outbreak could have a catastrophic effect on local farmers already under considerable strain. If a member of the public has any information on similar activities they can contact the department in confidence on 01639 686868.”