Cattle black market risks health

Passports guarantee the origin and safety of meat

A farmer in Lancashire has been arrested after an investigation into cattle movements and paperwork has been removed from his farm.

Police said the cattle dealer, from Slaidburn, has been released on bail following an investigation into the movement of hundreds of animals.

It is believed a black market in cattle passports exists in Britain.

The passports are part of a government strategy to fight disease following BSE and the Foot and Mouth epidemic.

Every cow in Britain destined for the food chain has to have a passport which guarantees the origin and safety of the meat.

Trading standards officers have found a black market exists in Britain where passports can be bought and sold for between ten and fifty pounds.

This may have led to cattle older than thirty months entering the food chain.

Tony Blair's rural advisor, Lord Haskins, says it highlights the inadequacy of our food tracking system and has questioned whether the cattle passport scheme is worth keeping.