A COUPLE who defied an official culling squad are set to be the first farmers in Britain forced to hand over animals for slaughter under new laws.

Andy and Nicola Morris refused to allow DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Trading Standards officials to take two cows from their farm near Droitwich after failing tests four months ago.

This means Eatons Farm at Church Lane, Tibberton could be harbouring highly infectious Tuberculosis.

Now Mr Morris has been ordered to appear in court on Thursday when DEFRA applies for a warrant to take the animals away under the animal health act 2002, which gives officials powers to kill livestock.

But Mrs Morris, who will support her husband in court insists they will fight to save the cattle. She maintains the test that condemned the cattle was only 50 per cent accurate. She said the family made a stand because three animals killed four years ago after similarly failing the test were found to be clear after a post - mortem.

Re-test hopes

The couple are hoping for a re-test although they say they will accept the decision, if DEFRA is granted a warrant.

Worcestershire trading standards, which is enforcing the legislation wants to take the animals out because they are a a danger to other cattle in spreading TB.

Because the Morrisses won't let the officials on the farm, trading standards were forced to apply for a warrant to take DEFRA vets onto the farm and remove or cull the cows. Theirs is an unusual case and is therefore set to go before a district judge.