'Illegal' Slaughterhouse Uncovered

A suspected illegal animal slaughterhouse has been uncovered in south Armagh.

The discovery was made as a result of a multi-agency investigation to target agricultural crime that was launched in the Newry and Mourne area on Monday morning.

Searches were carried out at two properties in Forkhill and one in the Bessbrook area.

A number of items have been seized for examination at the Forkhill site, while nothing was found during the Bessbrook search.

Maria Jennings, Director of the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland, said "suspected illegal animal slaughter and meat cutting operations" had been found.

"The FSA is working closely with the PSNI and all relevant authorities, including DARD and the district Council on this investigation - in order to stop further production at this plant and to protect the safety of the food chain," he said.

"The information we have tells us that meat was being produced illegally, without official hygiene checks. We are currently investigating which businesses have been supplied with meat from the plant and we will provide further information once we have it."

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has said it welcomed the police response.

President Harry Sinclair told BBC Radio Ulster: "At this stage we don't know the scale of this operation, how much stock has actually gone through it. Until the investigation is completed, it will be difficult to say just what has been happening."

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley said the news was "extremely worrying."

He said: "News of this investigation is extremely worrying and has caused anxiety among those in industry and among the population in general.

"Anything that calls into question the safety of the food chain is always concerning, especially in light of the horsemeat scandal. The fact several agencies are involved in this is all the more worrying.

"People want to be assured that the food they are eating is safe and it is important that we are made aware as soon as possible just what is involved in today's operation in relation to food-safety."

(IT)