Butchers worry food fraud is on the rise
There are concerns that an increase in animal theft could be linked to the cost-of-living crisis, as criminals look to cash in on rising meat prices.
Around £2.4 million of cattle and sheep were stolen last year, according to an annual rural crime survey.
Overall, livestock theft increased 3.7% in 2021, compared to the year before.
In some cases, animals were slaughtered and butchered while still in farmers’ fields, meaning they did not undergo safety checks at a registered abattoir.
Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, which conducted the survey, said: “Livestock theft has always been an aspect of farming, but now it’s larger scale and much more organised.”
She added: “With meat prices going up we may find that we see an increase in livestock being stolen and then being put into the illicit market.”
As well as animal welfare concerns, butchers are concerned about the public health risks.
Under UK regulations, meat should be slaughtered in a registered abattoir and undergo strict health and safety checks before being made available for sale. But cheap black-market meat will bypass this important process.
John Mettrick, butcher & chair of the Abattoir Sector Group, wants people to be wary of food fraud.
He said: “You shouldn’t buy meat in the pub. I would advise people not to go for anything that’s very very cheap.
He added: “You must make sure that you get it from a licensed premises. If you’re not sure where it’s come from, you’re not sure what it’s going to do to your health.”
by Katharine Walker / ITV
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