A FARMER who ignored advice about the health of his animals has been banned from keeping livestock for ten years.

Farmer Martin Phillips, aged 74, pleaded guilty to a single animal welfare offence.

The case only related to a single animal under Phillips's care but followed on from an earlier civil hearing involving the seizure of 57 cattle owned by Phillips.

He had been warned about poor keeping conditions and the health of his animals by Worcestershire Trading Standards.

The animals will now be sold to recover some of the costs incurred from maintaining and seizing them.

Phillips, of Leysfield in Harvington, Evesham was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 21.

Magistrates took into account Phillips's limited finances and fined him £120 plus a victim surcharge of £30. A contribution to costs of £1,350 was also ordered.

They had made the order allow Worcestershire County Council to sell his animals at an earlier hearing.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “Experienced farmers should be aware of their responsibilities and take them seriously.

"Laws are in place to protect livestock, control disease and to ensure the safety of the wider food chain.

"We will not hesitate to investigate and where necessary prosecute farmers who contravene these laws.”