Sheep farmer fined £1,400 for leaving dead stock on farm

A sheep farmer in County Down, Northern Ireland, has been fined £1,400 for failing to dispose of animal carcasses on his farm, and for animal welfare neglect.

Derek Trimble, 50, of Spelga Park, Hilltown, pleaded guilty at Newry Court on 15 May to seven charges, including three breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

See also: Dairy farmer must pay £20,000 for flouting TB rules

He also pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to dispose of animal carcasses without delay, in accordance with the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

Disease spread

By leaving animal carcasses in the open, there is a risk that disease can be spread by other animals or birds, said a statement from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).

Mr Trimble was also convicted of a further charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a ram.

And he risked human health by failing to record the purchase and administration of veterinary medicinal products on two counts.

Daera brought the case following a series of welfare inspections carried out on Mr Trimble’s farm in March 2016.