A dairy farming family from St Clears has been cleared of wrongdoing following a high-profile dispute with the Home Office, which had accused them of employing undocumented workers and issued a £360,000 civil penalty.
The case centred on Siôn and Audrey Davies, who run Coomb Farm, one of Carmarthenshire’s largest dairy operations with around 800 cows and 2,200 head of cattle. The penalty stemmed from a raid in 2023, when 20–30 immigration officers and police arrived unannounced and arrested eight Romanian workers at the farm.
Speaking after the ordeal, the Davieses said the enforcement action was “wholly disproportionate” and described how the raid left them scrambling to keep the farm operational. With staff detained and transport vehicles seized, they were left severely short-handed just as calving season approached.
In May 2025, the case was heard at Swansea County Court, where Judge Beard ruled the family had not breached immigration law and overturned the fine entirely. Legal representation was provided by HCR Law, whose team argued the Home Office’s allegations did not stand up to scrutiny and posed an unjust burden on a legitimate farming business.
The case has highlighted wider concerns about how immigration enforcement is impacting Welsh agriculture. According to HCR Law, at least a dozen similar cases have surfaced in West Wales, with several resulting in legal proceedings or fines. They’ve advised other farming businesses—particularly in dairy, arable, and horticulture sectors—to review their employment and compliance practices to avoid unexpected scrutiny.
The outcome comes as many Carmarthenshire farms face a shifting landscape for rural employment. The sector has long relied on seasonal and migrant labour, and with rising costs and regulatory pressures, farm owners say it’s becoming harder to recruit and retain skilled staff. The Davies family expressed relief but warned that others might not have the legal resources to challenge similar enforcement actions.
The NFU Cymru has also weighed in, calling for clearer guidance and improved communication between regulators and farming businesses. They argue that the reputational and operational damage caused by raids—even when accusations prove unfounded—can be devastating.
