Honiton farmer prosecuted for pollution and animal welfare offences
Roswell was disqualified from owning of cattle, sheep, pigs, goat and poultry for life
A Honiton farmer has been sentenced after animals were found living in appalling conditions and pollution risks at his farm.
David Rosewell from Crook Farm admitted failing to care for his animals and not disposing of animal by-products, after joint inspections found slurry-filled sheds, decomposing cattle and hazardous debris.
He’s been banned from keeping farm animals for life, handed an 18 month suspended prison sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay more than £18,000 in costs.
Inspectors say despite repeated warnings, Rosewell left livestock starving, without shelter and living among carcasses and rubbish.
Fakir Mohamed Osman, Head of the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said: “Animals were found living in appallingly bad conditions. Despite advice and guidance from Trading Standards and government vets during previous visits, the conditions at the farm worsened and Rosewell’s failure to follow our advice left us with no alternative but to prosecute."
Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: “The welfare legislation for animals sets out very clearly the acceptable standards that those keeping animals must meet.
“Despite our efforts and the efforts of Animal and Plant Health Agency vets to work with the defendant we continued to find them left with insufficient food, without adequate shelter, living in dangerous conditions and in a poor state of health.
“Thankfully, having to take this kind of legal action is rare, and most farmers and smallholders take the welfare of their animals very seriously. Our staff work hard to try to assist and support farmers in relation to animal care, but when advice is repeatedly ignored we will take appropriate action.”