Forest of Dean District Council is supporting the Crimestoppers ‘Stop Poaching’ campaign with partner agencies to share information and raise awareness in order to identify those involved in the poaching and trading of illegal meat.
The Council has joined forces with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, patient Food Standards Agency, Trading Standards, Environment Agency, Animal & Plant Health Agency, regional Police and other Environmental Health Departments across the South West.
Poaching is illegal and is often linked to other antisocial or criminal behaviour, including trespass onto private land and property damage.
The campaign encourages residents to report the illegal poaching of wildlife, livestock and fish to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The phone call is free and confidential and the number will not show up on your phone bill and in some circumstances you may be entitled to a cash reward.
The Council’s Food Safety Team is reminding all food businesses in the district, (including hunters supplying food), that under Food Safety Legislation they have a legal duty to ensure the food they sell is safe to eat; this would include purchasing meat from reputable suppliers.
Anyone running a food business must be able to show where they get their ingredients from, what they do with them, and in the case of onward sale of meat; to whom they sell their food.
Poached animals are usually illegally slaughtered and if not handled and inspected properly the meat may pose a risk to human health as it can carry diseases such as Tuberculosis and E.coli. The illegal slaughter of boar, venison, sheep and cattle typically occurs in quiet locations at unusual times.
If you are a hunter wishing to sell meat direct to pubs, shops, hotels and other food businesses and are not registered with the Council you are advised to contact the Food and Safety Team to register – it’s simple to register and free.
If you operate a food business and have been offered meat that you believe has been poached or illegally slaughtered don’t accept it and report it immediately to the Council’s Food and Safety Team on 01594 810000.
Cllr Marrilyn Smart, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “It is acknowledged that there has been an increase in poaching across the South West over the last few years and we recognise that there is a significant risk that some of that illegally sourced meat may end up in the local food chain via food businesses.”
“Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure that all meat used is safe to eat.”
“We encourage anyone who has information on poaching to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 providing as much detail as possible.”
“Residents and businesses who require further information or wish to report the illegal slaughter of animals, or the sale of illegal meat should call the Council’s Environmental Health Team 01594 810000 or email environmental.health@fdean.gov.uk”