East Riding man fined for failing to dispose of cattle carcasses
Animal health officers found the bodies of at least one sheep and seven calves
A former East Riding farmer has been ordered to pay a total of £1168.47 by a court for failing to dispose of animal carcasses.
Andrew Smith, now of Cundall Close, Southcoates Lane, Hull, appeared in Hull Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 29 July in relation to an animal by product offence and cattle identification offence.
The court heard how animal health officers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and a veterinary inspector from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) visited his former farm premises in Thorngumbald on Friday 30 August 2024.
Officers found at least one sheep and seven calf carcasses in an advanced stage of decomposition, in a closed outbuilding on the premises.
An animal by products disposal notice was served on Smith requiring him to dispose of the carcasses without undue delay.
Despite repeated assurances from Smith that he would arrange for the disposal of the carcasses, he had still failed to do so by Tuesday 1 October last year. Consequently, the council arranged for their disposal on a cost recovery basis.
Checks on the ear tags found on the dead calves identified that Smith had also failed to report the deaths to the British Cattle Movement Service.
Smith informed the court that the farm was up for sale, and that he no longer had anything to do with farming and did not intend to do so in the future.
He pleaded guilty to both offences and was fined £300, ordered to pay £748.47 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for communities and public protection, Councillor Lyn Healing, said: “The timely and correct disposal of animal carcasses is essential to protect both animal and public health, and the council will take robust action, as in this case, when required.”