Illegal Meat Task Force
Tuesday 29 April 2008
The Illegal Meat Task Force (IMTF) provides support to local authorities investigating meat fraud activities in their region, and advises on the most appropriate course of action.
Members of the Task Force also ensure local authorities follow the proper processes and comply with the law. They also provide cascade training to local Food Liaison Groups and bring together information for feedback to the Agency.
Members become involved in investigations at the request of the Agency following reports to the Agency of suspected meat fraud where the investigating local authority requires advice on investigatory and associated legal matters. They are contracted to provide their services for up to ten days a year and to provide feedback to the Agency.
How to request assistance from the IMTF
If you work for a local authority and you want to seek assistance from the Illegal Meat Task Force as part of your investigations into meat fraud activity, please contact:
John Furzer
tel: 0207 276 8077
email: john.furzer@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Background
The IMTF was setup in autumn 2003, following a number of complex high profile meat fraud cases and the Waste Food Task Force making a number of recommendations on how best to tackle the illegal trade.
Initially thirty local authority enforcement officers from the UK and the Republic of Ireland were trained by the Food Standards Agency in high level investigatory skills and other legal matters. Currently there are 28 members active within the UK, where they continue to work from their seconded authorities.
All local authorities (including environmental health and trading standards departments) have been informed of the services the IMTF can provide. However, the IMTF involvement has largely been related to the food hygiene work of Environmental Health Officers rather than the food standards work of Trading Standards Officers.
Related links
(pdf 33KB) (pdf 61KB)