Powys farmer who “cut corners” during difficult time fined

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court last week heard how Daniel Price provided false information on sheep movement reporting documentation in February 2020 and in September and December the same year he falsely identified a total of 39 sheep.

Price, 32, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Animal Health Act 1981 and asked for 17 other charges to be taken into consideration. A fifth charge of fraud, however, was withdrawn.

The court was told on Wednesday, March 1, Price had not committed the offences in order to make money, but wanted to make his life easier during a stressful time.

Prosecuting the case on behalf of Powys County Council’s animal health team, Rob Brown said the incidents occurred after Price became a farmhand for John and Gwendoline Price at Baileymawr Farm, near Llandrindod Wells.

He told the court that they had run the farm for 20 years, and that unique numbers are applied to all lambs born.

“The defendant became a farmhand and they would allow him to use part of the farm," he said. "He obtained his own flock number. This is used for accountability and safety.

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“Responsibility for the farm passed to the defendant as Mr Price became more and more infirm. He became responsible for the day-to-day running of it.

“The victims never signed any animals over to the defendant. In September 2021 animal welfare officers contacted Mrs Price and undertook an investigation which implicated the defendant.

“It centred on false flock marks, sheep were being identified as his but they were Mrs Price’s.

“The defendant was interviewed and admitted using Mrs Price’s holding number.”

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Acting for Price, of Oakfield, Dolau, Brendon Reedy said his client committed the offences to “cut corners” during a tough period – saying it was the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he had a new-born son and was tending to the Price’s sheep as well as his own while renting a property from them.

“He certainly wasn’t running the farm," Mr Reedy said. "He had moved to Dolau but was still helping them.

"His wife got pregnant and she couldn’t leave the house. He was working for Chilvers and doing shopping for five different people.

“He would take sheep from one farm to Baileymawr. Tags there were Mrs Price’s and he would use them. It was the easy thing to do, but he shouldn’t have done it.

“When he was shopping for 5, looking after a new-born and tending to his sheep and other people’s sheep, it’s easy to see why he cut corners. It wasn’t about making money, no-one’s going to get rich farming sheep."

Mr Reedy said Price had since got rid of all 40 of his sheep.

Mr Reedy handed in character references he said “speak warmly” of Price and he described the defendant as a good person who, along with his brother, had helped set up Norton Show, raising £50,000 for charity.

After the case, Powys County Council issued a statement saying the rules are to identify and report movement of sheep and goats and help prevent diseases such as foot and mouth.

Gavin Jones, the council’s animal health team manager, said: “Our officers will take appropriate action in these circumstances. 

“Most breaches are dealt with without the need to prosecute. However, if we come across similar cases to this, we will prosecute.”

Price was fined £300 for each of the four offences he admitted, with £1,000 costs and a £120 surcharge – making a total of £2,320.