Owner and farmer of Woodbridge-based Mint & Mustard Produce Ltd fined £27,000 for failing to safely dispose of dead sheep

A farmer who left dead sheep on his land for weeks has been fined nearly £30,000 for failing to safely dispose of the livestock.

Richard William Perry, farmer and company director of Woodbridge-based Mint & Mustard Produce Ltd, failed to comply with regulations regarding the safe disposal of livestock after their death.

Following a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, district judge Sheraton considered all the offences.

The company was fined £10,000 with a £2,000 victim surcharge, whereas Parry was fined £5,000, with an additional £2,000 victim surcharge and £8,000 in costs.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for public health and public protection, said this was a particularly distressing case for everyone involved.

“We fully support our Suffolk farming community and all those who work in it,” said Cllr Wiles. “The vast majority work to very high standards.”

Between December 2022 and October 2023, Suffolk Trading Standards received regular reports from members of the public about dead sheep left lying on land used by Parry in the Gedgrave area, near the Suffolk coast.

Trading Standards inspected the area, and in December 2022, officers found 13 dead sheep and an animal by-product in a partially opened bin, which was full of dead sheep.

In June 2023, seven dead sheep and sheep bones were found at Gedgrave and Hazlewood Hall Farm in Saxmundham.

During another inspection the same year, Trading Standards found a further five dead sheep and sheep bones at Gedgrave, as well as an animal by-product in a partially opened bin, which was full of dead sheep.

Trading Standards visited the land and advised Parry numerous times throughout this period, but as the issues persisted, a prosecution was launched.

Cllr Wiles added: “Suffolk Trading Standards officers discovered a number of dead sheep left in fields for weeks, identifying very poor farm management of livestock.

“Despite warnings and previous advice, Mr Parry still failed to do what was required.

“Animal welfare and the disposal of dead livestock legislation is there for very good reason, to control disease, to protect animals and to ensure the safety of the food chain - these offences put all of that at risk.

“I'd like to thank the members of the public that reported the dead livestock as this would have been disturbing for anyone coming across such a scene."

Anyone who has concerns about the welfare of farmed animals can contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.