IB at the centre of probe into illegal stock movements
IB at the centre of probe into illegal stock movements
DEVON Trading Standards is investigating allegations that the Intervention Board illegally moved sheep and pigs from the east Devon infected area through the adjoining "clean" area to West Devon Meat at Hatherleigh in the main Devon infected area.
Pig farmer and National Pig Association representative Robert Persey asked MAFF why, on May 10, 120 live pigs had been sent by the IB to West Devon Meat when pigs for the human food chain could only be slaughtered within the east Devon infected area.
MAFF replied in writing that the boards movement of the pigs was wrong and should not have happened. They should have been slaughtered on-farm and transported direct to landfill.
A second movement is alleged to have occurred on May 12.
Initially the IB was adamant that it did not move live animals from "clean" to infected areas, but later confirmed it had done so because of administrative errors and had since enhanced its procedures. *