A west Wales farmer has admitted interfering with a TB test.

Ceredigion County Council animal health officers said the Ceredigion farmer admitted guilt and accepted a caution in relation to the offence.

The individual, who has not been named, also admitted another animal welfare offence of injecting the necks of five cattle with a diesel type substance.

The TB test of the herd was carried out in December 2016. Investigations revealed that the TB injection site had been tampered with in five animals.

The substance that was injected was identified using investigation techniques that clearly showed the presence of a foreign material in the animals. This was verified using advanced forensic techniques which detected the presence of a diesel type substance.

In a statement made to Ceredigion County Council animal health officers, the individual admitted to the offences as a result of increasing financial pressure on the family business. The significant compensation that would have been obtained per animal was the main motive.

The perpetrator had knowledge of others interfering with TB tests and took advice from an, as yet, unidentified acquaintance.

After the vet’s visit to carry out the test, the perpetrator injected the cattle with a hydro-carbon liquid to mimic the results of a positive test for TB before the vet returned to check the test results.

Councillor Gareth Lloyd, cabinet member for public protection, said: “Officers from the council worked in partnership with colleagues from government departments to identify charges. The council is pleased that the matter has been dealt with by an admission of guilt and settled by caution.

“The council will always work in the public interest to bring such offenders to book and to highlight such fraudulent actions. It’s simply not acceptable that this abhorrent practice is taking place, as it tarnishes all law abiding and responsible farmers.”