Harborough Farmer Fined Thousands for Food Chain Offences

A farmer from the Harborough District has been ordered to pay more than £5000 in fines for risking the safety of the food chain.

34-year-old James Beesley from Cranoe pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to twenty breaches of cattle identification laws.

These included failing to report cattle deaths within seven days and reusing ear tags from animals that had already been slaughtered – making it harder to trace where the meat came from.

Trading Standards officers began investigating after a routine visit to the farm – following contact by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in August 2022 when Beesley failed to submit his cattle herd for compulsory tuberculosis testing.

In his defence, Mr Beesley’s solicitor said here was no dishonesty or financial motive and that he “simply couldn’t cope” with the demands of farming, particularly during a period when he had little help and was caring for a terminally ill father.

However, the prosecution emphasised that non-compliance risks both human health and the wider farming industry in the event of an outbreak of disease, making traceability in the food chain vital.