A NEW multi agency group set up to tackle the illegal meat trade has been set up in Cornwall The move follows reports of poaching, illegal slaughter, livestock theft and subsequent illegal meat supplies from members of the rural community, farmers and reputable food businesses.

The new regional multi-agency working group, backed by Crimestoppers, has been set up to jointly tackle the issue. Agencies taking part in the new task force include the police, Environmental Health and Trading Standards teams, the Food Standard Agency and a number of rural and agricultural organisations.

Intelligence shows that the issues are not just restricted to single instances of criminality, but, on occasions, are linked to wide scale organised crime that compromise animal welfare and food safety. This includes theft, trespass and firearms offences, often resulting in intimidation of victims and loss of property or trade.

By working together organisations can share information and combine the powers, knowledge and skills of all agencies to target and disrupt criminal activity, endeavouring to provide a safe community and level playing field for legitimate businesses.

“Anyone supplying food, regardless of the type of customer, is legally obliged to notify the Local Authority’s Environmental Health Department in the first instance” advises Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities. “In some instances you may also require an additional approval from the Food Standards Agency or Local Authority. The Local Authority will be able to advise if this is the case.

“Storage, transport and processing rooms must be fit for purpose and you must be able to provide traceability and adequate processing records of the food you are supplying, regardless of the nature of the product. Some farmed species may only be slaughtered in approved premises where the meat is to be supplied outside the immediate household.

“Where legal requirements aren’t being met you are at risk of having sanctions taken against you such as seizure of products and potentially prosecution in the criminal courts, resulting in a loss of confidence and reputational damage”.

“Whilst animals going to slaughter are subject to ante-mortem inspection by Veterinary Surgeons and post-mortem inspection by Authorised Officers from the Food Standards Agency, hunted animals can receive these inspections by trained hunters who are registered as food business with Local Authorities” says Manuel Sarnago, Field Veterinary Leader, Food Standards Agency.

“These requisites are laid down in law to help protect consumer and animal health and animal welfare. All Food Businesses processing and/or trading with products of animal origin would also need to be aware of the legal requirements relating to the identification, treatment and disposal of animal by-products.” Wildlife Crime Officer PC Martin Beck, of Devon and Cornwall Police, adds “The police need the public to work with us and our partners to protect people from harm. We recognise that rural crime such as theft, trespass with firearms and poaching are of concern and we wish to work with the public to solve issues and bring offenders to justice.

“If anyone has information about who is involved, what they are doing, how they are doing it and when, we need to know.”

The agencies want to hear from people with information regarding anyone who may be:- • Poaching deer or theft of livestock • Trespassing with dogs or firearms • Involved in illegal slaughtering • Selling illegally processed meat If someone is trespassing with firearms or another crime is taking place please phone 999.

To report a crime (including poaching after the crime has taken place) please phone 101 or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk .

You can report any suspicions of illegal food production by calling Cornwall Councils Food Safety Team on 0300 1234 212. Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.