A FARMER has been found guilty of moving cows illegally and failing to produce documents to trading standards officers.

David Bowe, 51, from Hunton, near Bedale, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, where he denied five charges.

Following a day-long trial, in which he defended himself, magistrates found him guilty on two counts of moving cows from the farm while they were subject to movement restrictions and two charges of failing to produce his cattle register to an authorised officer when required to do so.

He was also found guilty of a charge of impeding an officer by failing to provide required information.

The court heard that he was issued with a Movement Prohibition Notice for his cows by Defra because he had failed to have tuberculosis tests carried out on his herd, which is legally required.

Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports.

Graham Venn, head of trading standards at North Yorkshire County Council, said: "Tuberculosis is a disease which affects cattle and can cause disease in people.

"It can be highly contagious. In its acute form, it will kill.

"For this reason, infected herds are put under movement restrictions which have severe economic impact on the owners.

"Farmers should comply with routine herd testing."

Kate Sharpe, divisional veterinary manager with the Defra state veterinary service, said: "By his action, Mr Bowe seriously undermined central policies, which are aimed at protecting the cattle population and the farming industry in areas such as Yorkshire that are currently free from the disease."