Farmer ordered to pay 8,000 euros

 Farmer ordered to pay 8,000 euros - A farmer in south central France has been ordered to pay 8,000 euros due to the smell caused by his cows. Sentenced on the 19th November the complaint had been initiated by the neighbours, who had moved to the area in 2001. In 2006 they complained about the smell from the herd of cows saying “it stung their eyes and was absolutely unbearable”.

Nicolas Bardy, whose family have farmed cattle at Lacapelle-Viescamp in the Cantal, in south-central France, for six generations, was accused of stocking bales of hay too close to his retired neighbours’ home, causing “strong irritating odours”.

The case against Bardy went up to the court of cassation, the highest court of criminal and civil appeal in France. He said the decision to fine him €6,000 damages and make him pay €2,000 in legal costs, was “stupidity pushed to its limit”.