A couple from Freystrop has been fined £5,000, with £2,300 costs, for offences relating to an illegal slaughter operation.

In a prosecution brought by Pembrokeshire County Council, Roger and Kathleen Roach, of Bal-ami, pleaded guilty to all charges against them at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court last week.

The court heard how officers from the council's food team raided the farm premises in June 2005, after receiving information that the premises were being used for illegal slaughter and the supply of meat into the food chain.

The raid led to the discovery and seizure of a substantial quantity of unfit meat, and equipment used in the butchery operation.

Raymond Roach pleaded guilty to using premises as an unlicensed slaughterhouse, for which he received a £1,000 fine; selling a carcass of beef which was unfit (£1,000 fine); keeping unsafe beef and pork on premises to sell for human consumption (£750); and keeping specified risk material (SRM) otherwise than in impervious container (£750).

Kathleen Roach pleaded guilty to keeping unsafe beef and pork on premises to sell for human consumption (£750); and keeping SRM otherwise than in impervious container (£750).

A spokesman for the council said: "The supply of meat that has been illegally slaughtered into the human food chain is a serious matter. The meat will not have been subject to the usual checks that are necessary to identify evidence of diseased animals and meat, and to ensure that it is processed hygienically.

"Of particular concern was the identification of bovine tissue, which should have been removed in accordance with BSE controls."

The court made an order for the destruction of seized equipment, and ordered that the fines and costs be paid within 28 days.