Suffolk farmer banned from keeping farm animals after being found guilty of animal cruelty

Suffolk farmer, Eric Moss, has been found guilty of animal welfare offences and banned from keeping farmed animals along with his company ARP Farms Limited for an indefinite period of time.

Mr Moss, of Botany Farm, Farnham near Saxmundham was found guilty of 23 out of 29 charges including animal cruelty

Mr Moss was given a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years as well as the disqualification order for keeping farm animals for commercial purposes. Moss was also ordered to pay £9000 costs. ARP Farms Limited, was found guilty of 7 offences and fined £1,000 at Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday.

During inspections at Botany Farm, Farnham in 2013 Suffolk Trading Standards officers found thin cattle that were being caused unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act.

Mr Moss also failed to comply with an improvement notice that required him to provide his cattle with a sufficient dry lying area and adequate access to food.

On Suffolk Trading Standards’ initial inspection in February 2013 a young calf was found lying on its side trapped in a poorly maintained wire fence. The calf was released by Trading Standards officers and rejoined the herd of cattle.