LOCAL authorities in Lancashire have come together to battle the illegal slaughter of animals in the run up to Christmas and the Muslim celebration Eid-ul-Adha.
The campaign to stop potential illegally slaughtered meat entering the food chain is being run by Environmental Health departments in Preston, Blackburn with Darwen, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Burnley.
This is the third year that the initiative has taken place and is aimed at driving down the number of illegal animal killings on remote farms which are in contravention of food hygiene regulations.
Several Ribble Valley farms were approached last year by individuals wanting to buy and slaughter animals onsite, including one Longridge farmer, who was approached for 40 lambs.
Under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations anyone involved in the illegal slaughter of animals and food business operators who fail to ensure that meat comes from a legitimate source face a fine of up to £5,000 in a magistrates’ court or up to two years imprison and fine, or both, in a crown court.
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