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Farmer banned from keeping livestock for 10 years

Published
A farmer from the Forest of Dean has pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a lamb, failing to dispose of two sheep carcasses and animal movement records offences.

Shaun Saunders, aged 61, of Broadmeads, Coleford Road, Bream, Lydney, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday 17 March for sentencing following a prosecution brought by Gloucestershire County Council’s trading standards service.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing unnecessary suffering to a lamb, failing to dispose of the carcasses of two sheep, failing to apply for a temporary land association and failing to notify the movements of sheep onto his holding in accordance with the legislation.

Saunders was banned from keeping farm livestock for 10 years, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

Following a complaint in October 2023 from a member of the public concerned about the condition of a lamb and carcasses in a field at Stow field, Lower Lydbrook, a trading standards officer from Gloucestershire County Council attended, along with a vet from the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA).

During their inspection they found a lamb that was so badly affected by flystrike that it died before the vet had time to euthanise it to prevent further suffering. The lamb had clearly been affected by flystrike for several days without any treatment. The officer also found two carcasses in the field and several thin lambs, which were later treated by the farmer’s own vet. It transpired that the farmer had gone away for several days and the flock had not been inspected at sufficient periods during this time to ensure its welfare. Saunders also failed to apply for a temporary land association and failed to notify livestock movements, after receiving previous advice on these requirements several times in the past.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for trading standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The farmer in this case had received advice on numerous occasions on welfare, livestock movement rules and record keeping over several years and continued to ignore the advice given.

“Due to the seriousness of the welfare case and the continued failure to follow the advice given, the decision to prosecute was appropriate. Our officers will continue to monitor animal welfare issues and ensure that the rules in place to help prevent the spread of animal disease are adhered to.”