AN experienced stockman fell foul of the law because he failed to keep up with new farming regulations, a court heard yesterday.

John Anderson, 67, of The Hill, Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, County Durham, pleaded guilty to sample charges of not registering his cattle, not fixing ear tags to calves and not applying for cattle passports when he appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates.

He was fined £50 on each of nine charges, and ordered to pay costs totalling £319.

Prosecutor Terry Fenwick said that none of the cattle Anderson kept at East Corn Park Farm, near Cotherstone, had ear or nose tags when an inspector called last spring.

When the inspector returned last May with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officers Anderson said he did not have records or animal passports.

Anderson's solicitor, Simon Cotterill, said: "Times change and we have to stay with them or we get left behind."

Mr Cotterrill said Anderson would not be keeping any more animals. He was going to dispose of the animals he had and leave it to the next generation to do things their way.