The issue of illegal and potentially unfit for human consumption meat finding its way into the food chain is one that needs addressing urgently.

It is revealed today that one rogue company may have been operating for six weeks or more before it was closed down – and during that period, could have processed up to 48 tonnes of meat into the food chain.

The premises was raided by the Food Standards Agency and Bradford Council and shut down earlier this year with two tonnes of meat seized at the time.

But it seems clear that the operation was running for some time before that, and there must also be concerns that similar operations exist around the district – particularly as the owner of the company behind this plant has still not been traced.

There is no doubt that stronger measures need to be in place to trace and tackle this sort of operation, and better intelligence is needed to catch those responsible.

However, the trade for illegal meat would not exist if people were not willing to buy it, and it is absolutely essential that food retailers, takeaways and restaurants refuse to buy meat from unlicensed operations.

If someone is taken ill – and for vulnerable people in particular the consequences of food poisoning from unfit meat are potentially horrific – then it will be on their conscience.

And anyone who buys meat to re-sell from outlets that are unlicensed is as negligent as the processing operations themselves, and should be dealt with in the same way.

The simple way to avoid that is for business not to be tempted by the prospects of a cheap deal – it could lead them to ruin and leave their customers at risk of serious illness – or worse.