I am trying to collate data pertaining to enforcement action taken against Livestock Markets in regions across Great Britain over the past number of years.
I am seeking the following information for the Devon County Council (DCC) area: number and type of enforcement actions taken in 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19 and 2017-18.
Data held related to the number of complaints received about such breaches.
The names of Livestock Markets against which enforcement action has been taken.
The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service covers the areas of Devon, Torbay, Plymouth and Somerset. It regularly inspects livestock markets within its area in relation to animal welfare and disease control issues. We have provided figures for both Devon and Somerset.
“Enforcement Actions” is taken to mean Written Advice/Simple Caution/ Prosecution/ Formal Notice. The responses relate to operators of livestock markets rather than individual attendees.
Devon
| Year | Written Advice | Simple Caution | Prosecution | Formal Notice | Complaints Received about alleged breach |
| 17-18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18-19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19-20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 20-21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 21-22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Somerset
| Year | Written Advice | Simple Caution | Prosecution | Formal Notice | Complaints Received about alleged breach |
| 17-18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18-19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 19-20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 20-21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21-22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Regarding the names of the livestock markets in receipt of written advice, whilst Devon County Council holds this information, and acknowledges that there is some public interest in the disclosure of the names of businesses advised, DCC considers that this information should be withheld under Regulation 12(5)(b) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
This is because the Council recognises that there is a greater public interest in ensuring the confidentiality of the results of criminal investigations that do not result in action in open court, than in disclosing the information. Although the investigating officers concerned considered evidence sufficient to provide advice, the truth or falsity of the allegations are open to contention.