A DAIRY farmer attacked the work of the Milk Development Council when he was taken to court yesterday for failing to follow its financial rules.

Andrew Proctor, who farms in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, told Harrogate magistrates that the council was "a waste of time and money".

It was set up in 1994 with a budget of £7.5m and the aim of improving the profitability of Britain's dairy farming industry.

Proctor, 48, pleaded guilty to failing to make a written return of the amount of milk produced by his cows in the year to the end of March last year. He told the court he was trying to fight the statutory levy imposed on each litre of milk his herd produces.

He said: "I cannot fight them on my own. Dairy companies used to pay the levy but they got together and do not pay it any more. If they do not pay it, why should I pay it?"

Geoffrey Rogers, prosecuting, said dairy farmers were required to pay a levy of 0.08p on every litre of milk to meet the council's expenses, which included administration costs.

Milk producers had to make a written return annually, so payments could be calculated.

Proctor had received several reminders about a lack of figures between April 2001 and March last year, before a decision was taken to prosecute.

Proctor said his holding, at Hill Top Farm, Dacre Banks, brought him an income of between £10,000 and £12,000 a year.

Of his fight against the council, he said: "It has become a point of principle, but I am fighting a losing battle because I am fighting a big concern."

Proctor was conditionally discharged for a year and ordered to pay £250 costs.

The chairman of the magistrates, Hugh Simpson, said: "This may be a bit of bureaucracy you do not agree with, but it is the law of the land and you have to pay.