AN MP has warned of more chaos to farmers throughout the South West if there are further delays to an investigation into West Devon Meat at Hatherleigh. The abattoir had its licence suspended to slaughter over 30-month old cattle after a mistake arose concerning samples of brain tissue taken from cows slaughtered at the base. MP for West Devon and Torridge Geoffrey Cox said farmers and markets throughout the region have been struggling to adapt to the loss of their main buyer. Cattle had been left unsold and a number of farmers had voiced growing concerns about the implications for animal welfare. Mr Cox has pressed Lord Rooker, Minister for Farming, to ensure that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) will undertake and complete its investigation as quickly as possible. He spoke of the devastating impact the abattoir's suspension had already had at markets in Holsworthy, Truro, Taunton and Highbridge and pushed home the desire of all involved to achieve an urgent resolution. 'I believe that the minister now has a clear understanding of the very grave concerns of farmers in Torridge and West Devon,' he said. 'The delays that the FSA have caused so far are simply disgraceful. 'Everyone involved with the situation wants the investigation to be completed as quickly as possible yet the investigation team have not looked at any documents or conducted any interviews. 'I hope he (Lord Rooker) will make it clear to the FSA, as I did to him, the chaotic ramifications if delays continue.' The suspension was made after the Meat Hygiene Service could only locate 349 of the 350 cattle sent to them from the abattoir as part of the normal procedure of statutory testing to prevent BSE. It has since emerged that two samples had been sent together by mistake — but the licence has yet to be reinstated.
