Probe into claims beef ‘pirates’ are selling meat door-to-door

AN investigation has been launched into reports of the illicit slaughter of cattle and distribution of beef from back-street abattoirs in areas along the Border.

The Department of Agriculture is working with farming organisations to investigate claims that cut-price door-to-door meat sales took place in several towns and villages in the North-east and North-west prior to Christmas.

Department of Agriculture officials are believed to have already led a number of raids in the Donegal area in a bid to detect illegal slaughterhouses.