A farmer has been handed 100 hours of community service following welfare breach
Paul Hotchkiss of Gilberries Hall 51AV视频in Church Stretton, was sentenced at Telford Magistrates Court last week after pleading guilty to charges brought jointly by the and Shropshire Trading Standards.
In 2021, an FSA investigation discovered that 90 to 100 per cent of Mr Hotchkiss's birds were arriving at a local slaughterhouse with severe pododermatitis (dermatitis of the foot pads).
Despite visits and offers of advice by APHA inspectors, a private vet and Shropshire Trading Standards, further official checks found there had been limited improvement in subsequent flocks of birds.
Aled Edwards, head of field delivery England, Animal and Plant Health Agency said:听听"APHA takes potential breaches of animal welfare legislation very seriously and investigates all allegations.听 听
"This case demonstrates our robust enforcement approach and the effective collaboration between ourselves and local authorities.听I听welcome this sentence from the court and hope it will act as a reminder to others that animal welfare is of paramount importance."
