Health-risk rat and antelope meat seized in police raid of UK home

A 51-year-old man was arrested after 11kg of bushmeat was seized by police in London.

Illegal bushmeat which could “pose serious health risks” has been seized following a joint raid by Metropolitan Police and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). A 51-year-old man has been arrested following the raid at a property in southeast London which recovered 11kg of meat from cane rats and antelope.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police have been working closely with the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as they investigate the illegal trade, reports Wales Online. In a statement, the FSA, whose officers were present at the scene, said: “Bushmeat is wild animal meat that has been hunted, often from species found in tropical regions.”

David Toms-Sheridan, NFCU’s head of investigations for the south of England and Wales, said: “The NFCU has been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other Subject Matter 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.”

In its statement, the FSA added: “Illegally imported meat bypasses the rigorous safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK, and can carry diseases and contaminants that put consumers at risk. 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.”

Investigations into the find are ongoing. Cane rats are indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa where it is regarded as a crop-destroying pest in areas where sugarcane, maize and other produce is cultivated.

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