1. How many farm animal welfare inspections/visits did your Local Authority carry out in 2010 and 2020? (If possible, please split between proactive and reactive visits) and what was the outcome of these inspections/visits? i.e. were breaches detected and what action was taken by your Local Authority?
In 2010 : We do not have access to this information. The Devon Trading Standards year end report for 2010/11 states:
We visited 397 livestock and arable farms in relation to animal health and welfare, food and animal feed hygiene and the disposal of animal by-products on those premises (132% against our minimum target).
A range of actions resulted: written advice; service warning; simple caution and prosecution.
In 2020 there were 84 visits which met the criteria. 45 were the result of complaints the rest may be regarded as proactive. 32 were marked as non-compliant.
A range of actions resulted: written advice; service warning; simple caution and prosecution. Some of these actions are ongoing.
2. The amount of resource applied to animal health and welfare in these years, and the number of dedicated animal health and welfare staff in your Local Authority (by FTE) in 2010 & 2020?
In 2010 the Devon Trading Standards Service had 17 FTE dedicated to Farm Standards. This included responsibility for Animal Health and Welfare, livestock movements and, also issues to do with Feeding Stuffs and Fertilizers. No staff were solely dedicated to Animal Welfare.
In 2020 the Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service had 70 (FTE 64.1) Trading Standards Officers and managers who are authorised under Animal Health and Welfare legislation. They also undertake the full range of Trading Standards work and are not specialised to Animal Health and Welfare – we have no staff solely dedicated to Animal Welfare.
3. The number & type of cattle held by registered cattle holdings (ie holdings with a County Parish Holding number) in your Local Authority. Please could you also specify the nature of each holding, ie dairy farm, beef farm, abattoir, market etc
We do not hold this information. You may wish to make a request of the Rural Payments Agency.
4. The details of any planning applications made by dairy farms, either for new dairy establishments, or expansion of existing establishments, made in 2019 or 2020. In particular the number of cows to be held, and the nature of the housing system for the cows, (ie permanent indoors housing, v. summer grazing with winter indoor housing).
We do not hold this information. You may wish to make requests of District Council planning departments.