A FARMER has admitted 14 offences relating to ‘filthy’ conditions and ‘unsatisfactory’ practices at a Colne dairy.

Pendle Council’s food safety team said they issued John Leslie Allison, of Hubbs House Farm, Southfield Lane, with 18 formal improvement notices relating to separate issues at the pasteurisation dairy, following an inspection in January.

Despite officers’ attempts to help the dairy farmer fall in line with health and safety requirements, he failed to make the necessary improvements.

As a result, he was ordered to appear at Burnley Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to 14 offences under food hygiene legislation on November 16.

Each offence was to do with unhygienic conditions and practices at the dairy which is used to store, treat and bottle milk before it is delivered to local customers. Officers said the notices covered a wide range of unsatisfactory conditions.

Stuart Arnott, Pendle Council’s environmental health manager, described the conditions at the dairy as ‘filthy’ on inspection. He said there was a lack of cleanliness and pest proofing, which safeguards against rodent infestation, as well as issues around the effectiveness of equipment.

The inspection was designed to identify and then reduce the risk of bacteria like e-coli and salmonella.Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s executive director, said prosecution was a last resort.

He said: “We had to serve the legal notices when our attempts to persuade Mr Allison to take action were unsuccessful.

“When he took little or no action to respond to the notices, we then had no choice but to take him to court.”

Coun David Clegg, who has responsibility for environmental health, said: “This was serious breach of the hygiene regulations and I am very pleased that our environmental health staff took firm action over it.

“The public has the right to be reassured that its milk suppliers work from clean and sanitary premises.”

Mr Allison is due to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on December 11.