Alistair McConnachie writes: Anti-cull activist, farmer and haulier in the Settle triangle, Simon Foster, has been fined an astonishing £3000 for disinfecting his lorry with his own equipment instead of using officially installed equipment.

On the 19 October 2001, over a month since the last official outbreak, he was at Preston Abbatoir with his rig. There was a long queue for the disinfectant facilities and so he chose to disinfect his lorry with his own equipment before proceeding off the premises.

Instead of merely cautioning him, the swingeing fine almost appears as if someone wanted to make an example of him because of his anti-cull activities.

As he told Sovereignty, "This figure is totally over the top, especially when you compare it with other fines. I read recently of a drunk driver who killed someone, who was given a suspended sentence and fined £200!"

The verdict is in the process of being appealed.