Suffolk Trading Standards has prosecuted a company for allowing bodily fluids and liquid from sheep skins to leak out of a shipping container passing through Felixstowe Port on its way to Turkey.

The container, which was discovered in March 2011, was not labelled as containing animal by-products and was not properly sealed to prevent its contents from escaping.

On discovering the container, Suffolk Trading Standards issued a notice prohibiting the movement of the container until the leak was stopped and ordered it to be stored so that all further leakage was contained ready for disposal.

Zivana Skins (UK) Limited, the company responsible, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay a fine of �1,500, costs of �1295.21 and a victim surcharge of �15 - �3310.21 in total.

Commenting on the case, Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, said: “Suffolk Trading Standards takes spillages like these very seriously. The liquid which could leak onto the highway could potentially spread livestock diseases, such as Foot and Mouth, over a very wide area.

“Disease outbreaks can have a major impact on the farming community and the UK as a whole. The level of fine imposed by the courts sends a clear message to those involved in the collection and transportation of animal by-products to ensure that they understand and adhere to the rules.”