Cornish farmer banned from keeping cattle for a decade amid 'unacceptable conditions'
Cornwall Council and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) discovered animals in unacceptable conditions at Eastcott, Morwenstow, near Kilkhampton
Last updated 4th Jun 2025
A Cornish farmer has been banned from keeping cattle for the next decade after being found to be keeping animals in unacceptable conditions on two occasions in less than 12 months.
It comes after Cornwall Council and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) discovered animals in unacceptable conditions at Eastcott, Morwenstow, near Kilkhampton.
David Rillie, 79, from Kilkhampton pleaded guilty to a number of charges at Truro Magistrates Court last week, after it was heard that back in January of this year, officers had received reports of cattle that were thin, being kept in poor conditions and cattle escaping from Eastcott on to neighbouring farmland and accessing the A39.
The Council and APHA had previously visited the farm in May 2024 when similar offences had been found, culminating in a caution which Mr Rillie signed in September that year.
Mr Rillie had received a total of eight visits from APHA and Trading Standards Officers from Devon and Cornwall since March 2023, all of which included advice regarding the Animal Health and Welfare Legislation.
Those charges included:
- Failing to provide cows and calves with a suitable environment, namely they had access to hazardous items like rubbish, plastic, old machinery, sharp projections, and broken fencing
- Failing to provide cows and calves with a suitable diet, namely they were in poor body condition and were not provided with sufficient food
- Failing to provide prompt or effective veterinary treatment to cattle that had infected eyes
- Failing to provide prompt or effective veterinary treatment to a cow that was lame
The magistrates gave credit for the early guilty plea and for co-operating with the investigation. In sentencing, Mr Rillie was ordered to pay the full costs of £6,688.67 and a surcharge of £26.
He was also given six weeks to dispose of his cattle.
'Further neglect resulted in this prosecution'
Jane Tomlinson, a Group Leader for Cornwall Trading Standards, said “In April 2024 Mr Rillie moved cattle from a holding he has in Devon to his holding in Cornwall, and was given detailed advice and was brought into compliance at that time by officers from Devon.
“Less than a month later standards had slipped, and he received a caution from Cornwall Council. Unfortunately, in January 2025 there was further neglect which resulted in this prosecution.”
'The council will take action'
Kevin Brader, the Council’s Head of Public Protection said, “Where officers find repeated non-compliance, the Council will take formal action to protect animals from cruelty and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry.”