A FARMER is to appear in court to face animal welfare and by-product charges.

Hayden Fortune, 48, of Pyethornes Farm, Wigglesworth, has been charged with nine offences alleged to have taken place between January 1 and August 14 this year. They are: Between 13/01/2023 and 22/03/2023 at Wigglesworth did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely 57 bovine aminals, were met to the extent required by good practice in that The level of slurry covered their hooves.

On 22/03/2023 at Wigglesworth was a person responsible for a farmed animal, namely cattle, and failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the conditions under which it was bred or kept complied with Schedule 1 to the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations, in that Failing to ensure they had access at all times to a lying area which either has well-maintained dry bedding or is well drained.

Between 22/02/2023 and 05/04/2023 at Wigglesworth did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely bovine animals, were met to the extent required by good practice in that Failed to ensure needs of two calves were being met in that you failed to house them with each other, leaving them penned alone which would have caused them distress as they are herd animals.

On 14/03/2023 at Wigglesworth did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely 11 adult pigs and six piglets, were met to the extent required by good practice in that pigs not given adequate accommodation and food, the pen accessed by a sow and piglets contained bedding and manure so high that the animals had to climb in a place considered hazardous for the presence of wood and metal scraps.

On 14/03/2023 at Wigglesworth failed to comply with an animal by-product requirement, in that you as the operator failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products, namely 12 pig carcases,shown in exhibit, without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health.

Between 22/03/2023 and 25/03/2023 at Wrigglesworth failed to comply with an animal by-product requirement, in that failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products, approximately seven bovine carcases, without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health.

Between 05/04/2023 and 26/04/2023 at Wigglesworth failed to comply with an animal by-product requirement, in that failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products, namely a bovine carcass, without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health.

Between 05/04/2023 and 26/04/2023 at Wigglesworth failed to comply with an animal by-product requirement, in that failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products, namely the remains of at least two bovine carcases, without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health,.

Between 05/04/2023 and 14/08/2023 at Wigglesworth failed to comply with an animal by-product requirement, in that failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products, a mound of manure contaminated with porcine remains without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health.

Fortune is due to appear at York Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Friday, November 10.