National Rural Crime Update

09/04/2026

About 9 Alert 9 National Rural Crime Update

How to report criminality in the Farming and Public Food Chain’s

Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit

Use this QR Code to confidentially report suspicious activity or suspected criminality relating to Illicit activity in Cattle Identification, Animal Welfare and Public Meat/Poultry Supply Sectors.

Consider: documentation fraud related to authenticity of livestock, traceability, adulteration, substitution, counterfeit medication etc.

Other criminality: organised crime within food/farming.

SCFIU are looking to enhance the information/intelligence picture, of any illegal activity taking place in relation to the above areas.

The below list is not exhaustive and could be used as a guide for the type of information of interest:

This includes:

Illegal movements of animals, including poultry and fish, such as not recording movements, not adhering to standstill periods, creating gaps in passport records, tampering with identification tags, and missing or fraudulently amending documents

Identifying illegal imports of livestock and companion animals, including incorrect certification and abuse of pet travel scheme

Deliberate non-compliance with statutory disease control measures, with particular attention on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

Non-compliances relating to animal by-products; including diversion of category 1-3 materials, on farm disposal, operating non-approved premises, illegal slaughter and associated livestock theft

Non-compliance with welfare in transport legislation

Deliberate attempts to defy animal welfare controls and marketing regulations, such as creating false records of stocking density, illegal supply and use of veterinary medicines in food producing animals

Illicit supply of Meat and Poultry to the public food chains.

If you become aware of any information around any of the above topics this can be submitted confidentially by using either the link or QR code below from any Smart device.

The form is very straightforward and is very quick and easy to complete.

Clue Webform

All information is submitted straight to the SFCIU and will be treated in the strictest of confidence and data is managed in accordance with strict data handling procedures.