The FSA has paid for one member of Amber Valley's staff to be seconded to the investigation. The council is still funding other members of the team. Sue Sonnex, Amber Valley's director of environmental health, has welcomed the FSA's help so far but says she wants the position reviewed as the investigation progresses. A spokesman for the FSA says it is aware of claims that some local authorities may be finding it difficult to fulfil all their responsibilities as food authorities. We are undertaking an audit programme at the moment, under an agreement we have with local authorities, that should identify any resourcing difficulties, in which case further resources could be made available.
Smokies are sheep and goats burned with a blowtorch while still fully skinned.
Banned in this country because of the danger to health, the animals' meat is a delicacy in some part of Africa. Illegal slaughterhouses and processing plants are on the increase to meet the growing demand from some communities in the London area. He knows this could be one area which, in the future, could mean an increase in work and a further drain on resources. We have had to train up people from other jobs to help us out in the food section. I think they understand the problems.