A LIVESTOCK mart has been prosecuted over a breach of livestock welfare rules after being found to be selling ill and infected sheep.

Northallerton Auctions pleaded guilty to five animal welfare offences at Northallerton Magistrates Court on Wednesday (May 8).

The company was prosecuted by North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards. An officer from trading standards and an RSPCA market inspector had found four sheep for sale at the market in September 2012, which were deemed unfit to be at the market.

A local veterinary inspector examined the sheep and found they were suffering severe lameness, mastitis and infestations of maggots.

The officers then carried out checks on premises where the company kept other livestock and found clear signs of sheep scab amongst the flock.

There was no evidence of appropriate treatment having been administered.

Northallerton Auctions pleaded guilty to five offences relating to putting unfit sheep up for sale and failing to treat livestock affected with sheep scab. The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 prosecution costs.

Graham Venn, assistant director for trading standards and planning, said: “We understand the impact that the economic downturn is having on the farming community and that times are very difficult. However, it is important to ensure that an animal’s welfare is not compromised.

"I would like to advise all concerned that decisions on whether an animal is fit for transportation or for exposure for sale in a market should be based on an animal welfare basis and not purely for commercial reasons.

"I would urge anyone who was unsure on a fitness of animal to seek prior veterinary opinion.”

Northallerton Auctions said today (Thursday, May 9) there were no senior staff available to comment on the matter.