Bushmeat is wild animal meat hunted in tropical regions and is banned from import into the UK because it bypasses all legal safety and hygiene controls.
Seized cane rat meat (Image: FSA)
Police and food safety officers have seized around 11kg of illegal bushmeat — including cane rat and antelope — from a property in south-east London. The raid was carried out by the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) together with the Metropolitan Police’s Peckham Rye Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Bushmeat is wild animal meat hunted in tropical regions and is banned from import into the UK because it bypasses all legal safety and hygiene controls. Officers say the smuggled meat poses a serious risk to the public as it can carry diseases and contaminants not found in regulated British food.
A 51-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
David Toms-Sheridan, Head of Investigations (South of England and Wales) at the NFCU, said the operation was part of a concerted effort to smash the illegal meat trade:
“The NFCU has been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other experts to identify those suspected of being involved in this criminality.
“This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.
“The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks. If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority.
“We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public.”
The FSA warned that illegally imported meat completely evades the rigorous veterinary checks, temperature controls and traceability required for food sold legally in the UK.
Investigations are continuing.