Scammonden farmer fined for keeping cows in the dark

Oct 14 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A FARMER of 30 years appeared in court ... for keeping cows in the dark.

Huddersfield magistrates heard Ronald Norcliffe failed to meet the ‘psychological and ethological’ needs of a cow and calf at his farm on New Hey Road in Scammonden.

The 65-year-old was fined £150 after admitting he breached the Animal Welfare Act by not providing adequate lighting in their barn.

The prosecution was the first animal welfare case brought by Kirklees Council for nine years.

But magistrates decided not to ban him from keeping cattle.

The court was told orcliffe had now bought an electricity generator to power lights in the barn – even though his own house does not have electricity.

Bob Carr, representing Norcliffe, ridiculed the Kirklees Council prosecution.

He said: “I don’t know what the psychological or ethological needs of these cows are and I’m sure Mr Norcliffe doesn’t either.

“I still have no idea how much lighting is appropriate for a cow – and this man, who has had 30 years of farming experience and is keeping these animals healthy, is none the wiser.

“In my respectful submission this didn’t do any harm whatsoever.”