Cornish farmer banned from keeping sheep

A 48-year-old farmer has been banned from keeping sheep following a trial at Truro Magistrates Court, Cornwall.

David Ford, Higher Rillaton Farm, Rillaton, near Callington, was banned from owning, keeping, participating in the keeping, dealing or transporting sheep for seven years.

The two-day trial saw Mr Ford convicted of failing to properly treat a severely injured animal and failing to investigate the reasons for the poor body condition of 47 sheep.

See also: Farmer fined after sheep blinded by overgrown horn

He had previously pleaded guilty to two other charges.

These related to failing to provide clean water to pigs, failing to provide care for piglets and two sick cattle, and failing to provide a clean feeding area for pigs.

District Judge Diana Baker ordered Mr Ford to pay costs of £12,000.

Stuart Benson, Cornwall Council’s assistant head of public protection, said: “This investigation involved some of the most serious welfare matters.

“A lamb with severely injured hind legs was not treated by a vet, pigs had only mud to drink, sick cattle had no bedding and pigs were being fed in their own faeces.

“Mr Ford has been given advice over the past three years, but still failed to provide for the most basic needs of his animals.”

Local councillor Geoff Brown said the county’s farming industry had a good reputation which needed to be maintained.

The local authority worked to help local farmers, smallholders and businesses to comply with the relevant legislation, said councillor Brown.

“Where we find repeated non-compliance and a complete disregard for farm animal welfare, we will take formal action to protect animals and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry.”

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