An Oxfordshire farmer has been fined more than £1,200 after five dead sheep were found rotting on his land.
54 year-old James Edward Hedges from Bletchingdon had been investigated by the Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Service.
Mr Hedges was ordered to pay £1,200 following a hearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court on May 16.
"This result acts as a reminder of the importance of maintaining good farming standards and should reassure the public that action will be taken, when necessary, to protect consumers," said councillor Judith Heathcoat.
Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards' operation manager, Jody Kerman, said: "Uncontrolled animal by-products can present a risk to both human and animal health and the legislation is there to safeguard the food chain and to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
"Fallen stock should be safely and suitably handled, with measures taken, without undue delay, to stop other animals and wild birds having access to it.
"Equally, whilst the use of veterinary medicines can be essential in preventing and treating disease, livestock owners have a duty to record such usage details, to ensure that animal products, such as meat and milk, are free from medicine residue, at the time it enters the food chain.
"Without appropriate record keeping, it is impossible to evidence when this is safe to do so."
For one count of failing to dispose of the sheep carcasses he was fined £500 and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge.
For failing to keep records or documents he was given a conditional discharge of 12 months.
Last week, a Northern Irish farmer was fined £1,400 for failing to dispose of animal carcasses on his farm and for animal neglect.
