A POWYS farmer who ignored bird flu rules put his and other bird keepers’ flocks at risk and increased the risk of the disease spreading.
Alastair Meikle, from Llanbrynmair, was prosecuted by Powys County Council’s animal health team this week for failing to house captive poultry when an All-Wales Avian Influenza Protection Zone was in place from October 2022 to July 2023.
He was fined nearly £3,000 this week when he was convicted of failing to comply with an order in relation to the protection zone.
The defendant, of Gardd Afon, Tafolwern, failed to attend Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 14, and was convicted of the offence in his absence.
There were outbreaks of avian influenza in Powys, including one just 15 miles from Meikle’s address.
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Councillor Richard Church, Powys County Council’s cabinet member for a Safer Powys, said: “The introduction of the rigorous biosecurity measures was to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza and it was important that all bird keepers in Wales followed these to protect their birds and prevent the spread of the disease.
“The defendant’s continued non-compliance and total disregard for the notice and biosecurity measures meant that he put his flock, as well as the flock of other bird keepers, at risk and increased the risk of the disease spreading.
“When it was found that he was not complying, our officers rightly took the breach seriously and acted, which has resulted in this successful prosecution.”
The court heard that despite the poultry housing order being in place since December 2, 2022, the defendant had not housed his poultry.
Meikle was repeatedly advised by council officers of the requirements to his poultry between December 15 and February 8, 2023, both in writing and in person.
When visited by council officers, Meikle was threatening and verbally abusive and claimed he had not consented to the relevant legislation and therefore did not intend to comply with it.
The court was told that this non-compliance with the order continued until the date it was lifted, in July 2023.
Meikle was fined £660, ordered to pay costs in full of £1,820 and a victim surcharge of £264 – resulting in a total financial penalty of £2,744.37.
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