A Somerset MP has called for the fullest possible investigation into the way TB reactor cattle are being transported for slaughter.
Conservative Ian Liddell-Grainger says he is getting disturbing reports of numerous welfare breaches and animals having to endure needless journeys of hundreds of miles.
Now he is calling on Environment Secretary Liz Truss to order an internal inquiry – and also to uncover what role Trading Standards departments have been playing in the matter.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, the member for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said he had been shocked by allegations made by farmers and welfare campaigners.
They claim in order to save Defra and its Animal and Plant Health Agency money hauliers have been subjecting some cattle to horrifically long journeys.
Drivers are collecting scores of cattle which test positive for TB and taking them for immediate slaughter as the disease continues to ravage the South West.
But at least one cow is believed to have been crushed to death during a lengthy journey and campaigners say because of the way Defra is managing the scheme many journey times to slaughterhouses are far longer than they need to be.
Mr Liddell-Grainger said he would be asking Ms Truss to intervene immediately.
“We also need to see all the emails that have been exchanged between the APHA and Trading Standards in all the South West counties on these matters,” he said.
“At the very least there is the suggestion that Trading Standards have been aware of what has been happening but have been reluctant to intervene.
“No such reticence is ever in evidence when it comes to them pursuing farmers, of course.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger said the public would be horrified if the allegations now reaching him turned out to be true.
“Just because an animal is only hours away from a premature death that does not entitle anyone to ill-use it,” he said.
“Farmers are extremely upset by what they allege has been happening and rightly so: very infrequent exceptions aside they value and care for their livestock because they realise the importance of good husbandry.
“To hear that an animal is then being ill-treated just because it has been consigned to the slaughterhouse is extremely upsetting, more so because this is, apparently, all taking place with Defra’s blessing.”