Farmer fights council to save his cattle

6:30pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A FARMER banned from keeping livestock for life is desperately fighting an order which will see his last remaining cattle disposed of by Trading Standards.

David Tongue is contesting an application made by Worcestershire County Council under the animal welfare act to dispose of 31 cattle seized from his Inkberrow farm.

A total of 38 cattle were shot at the farm several weeks ago on the instruction of a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) vet.Twelve were killed because they were in such poor condition, Worcester Magistrates Court was told.

Giving evidence during the hearing on Thursday, Defra vet Steve Gillgan said he visited the farm on many occasions to check on the herd’s health.

Six weeks before the cull he gave specific instructions to the cattle’s keeper, who is allowed to keep livestock, about the herd’s feeding needs.

However, after receiving a call from a distressed member of the public on Thursday, August 14, Mr Gillgan and a Trading Standards representative visited the farm.

Mr Gillgan said: “Several of those animals were in such a poor state that they were suffering, they were emaciated, some were extremely weak and were having difficulty walking.”

After the cull, 26 more cows were killed because they posed a risk to people and the remaining 31 were moved to another farm.

Tongue, aged 43, of Webheath, near Redditch said: “I am, and have been for many years, sentimentally attached to the animals. These people are ruthless and bloodthirsty. The neighbours have said it is nothing less than a vendetta against me.” He disputed the accusation the cattle were starved.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, September 11, to allow Tongue to bring witnesses to court.