Originally from: Pat Gardiner
                        
Hello Bill

Well, we may disagree a little, but by chance you have given me some really useful information.

I had always assumed that the fuss over “bushmeat” was mainly in respect of illegal imports, mostly of primate meat from West Africa.

Your suggestion that biltong from Southern Africa was a major smuggled item came as a surprise.

Is beef biltong considered a “bushmeat”?

I do know about the fmd situation in Zimbabwe and Botswana

Did any of your information come from sources close to MAFF-Defra or the NFU?

Now, I can tell you all something that you won’t know.

Early in the FMD outbreak MAFF-Defra fabricated a story that smuggled infected South African beef was entering the country via Newcastle on Tyne. No doubt, this was an attempt to explain the appearance of FMD at Waughs.

HMG had to apologise and pay compensation. I can prove this whole allegation with written evidence and will, if anyone is interested provide further information.

The only story that made the press, did not reflect the original fabrication – only a truncated version.

I’m not arguing the point about risks of smuggled meat, but I am wondering if you have been the victim of a second attempt of fabricated news.

Kind Regards
Pat Gardiner