Cornwall Farmer Banned from Keeping Cattle for 10 Years

A farmer from Kilkhampton has been banned from keeping cattle for a decade after animals were found living in poor conditions on two separate occasions in less than a year.

Animal Welfare Concerns at Morwenstow Farm

David Rillie, 79, was sentenced at Truro Magistrates’ Court last week after pleading guilty to several animal welfare offences following investigations at Eastcott, Morwenstow.

In January 2025, Cornwall Council and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) received reports that cattle at the farm were in poor condition, with some escaping onto neighbouring farmland and accessing the A39.

Officers previously visited the site in May 2024 and found similar issues, leading to a formal caution which David signed in September that year.

Hazards and Neglect

The court heard that David had failed to provide a safe environment for cows and calves, who had access to hazardous items such as rubbish, plastic, broken fencing and old machinery. He also:

• Failed to provide animals with a suitable diet, leaving them in poor body condition

• Failed to provide prompt or effective treatment to cattle with infected eyes

• Failed to treat a cow that was lame

David had received eight visits from APHA and Trading Standards officers from Devon and Cornwall since March 2023, with each visit including advice on meeting animal welfare legislation.

Sentencing and Council Statement

Magistrates gave David credit for his early guilty plea and cooperation with the investigation. He was ordered to pay £6,688.67 in costs and a £26 surcharge. He has six weeks to dispose of his remaining cattle.

Jane Tomlinson, Group Leader for Cornwall Trading Standards, said:
“In April 2024 David moved cattle from a holding he has in Devon to his holding in Cornwall, and was given detailed advice and was brought into compliance at that time by officers from Devon. Less than a month later standards had slipped, and he received a caution from Cornwall Council. Unfortunately, in January 2025 there was further neglect which resulted in this prosecution.”

Kevin Brader, Cornwall Council’s Head of Public Protection, said:
“Where officers find repeated non-compliance, the Council will take formal action to protect animals from cruelty and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry.”