Chimpanzee Meat Is Being Eaten Across Europe, Scientist Warns

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A leading primate scientist has claimed chimpanzee meat is being sold on market stalls in cities in the UK and across Europe after being smuggled from Africa.

A leading primate scientist has claimed chimpanzee meat is being sold on market stalls in cities in the UK and across Europe after being smuggled from Africa.

Humans share about 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, making them our closest living relatives. However this hasn’t stopped humans from seeking out chimpanzee meat and eating it as a delicacy on special occasions.

Dr Ben Garrod, from the University of East Anglia, said chimpanzee meat is being sold in UK cities under the name ‘bush meat’.

He claimed to have been told by border force just a few weeks ago a ton of bush meat from West Africa had been confiscated on a flight heading to the US.

Unilad report: The scientist explained the meat was regularly smuggled into the UK and mainland Europe and could be found in a number of major cities.

A chimpanzee mother feeds her child in Liberia, Africa, where the primates are often targeted by hunters and sold as bush meat to high-paying buyers in Europe and the UK.

To help prevent against smuggling, there have been calls for the border force agency to introduce DNA testing to allow them to identify meat at customs. The agency has said it would be investing in new technology to tackle the rising issue.

According to The Telegraph, Dr Garrod said:

It’s rife. It’s there – it’s in all the major cities across Europe and the US.

We have seen bush meat confiscated in the UK in check points at borders and in markets.

As well as appearing in British markets, the scientist claimed chimpanzee meat is served as a delicacy at weddings and christenings.

He continued:

From what I know, I can’t imagine why people would want to eat chimpanzee, but most bush meat that comes to the UK is seen as a luxury food – it’s the equivalent of us wanting game.

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Dr Garrod pointed out the dangers of the bush meat, explaining it could cause the spread of serious diseases such as Ebola as a result of being unsanitary and because chimps are very similar genetically to humans. He said the next ‘big pandemic’ could be spread through the illegally traded meat.

Ever since researchers sequenced the chimp genome in 2005, they have known that humans share about 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, making them our closest living relatives.

Dr Jane Goodall, who founded primate charity the Jane Goodall institute, reiterated the scientist’s concern, saying:

The smuggling of bush meat is a very alarming issue.

As Ben Garrod says, there is danger of disease spreading from the bush meat to humans.

A government spokesperson addressed the issue, saying:

We take the smuggling of any contraband extremely seriously.

As well as working with enforcement and intelligence partners in the UK and internationally, Border Force continues to invest in training and equipment to ensure that we do all we can to intercept illegal foodstuffs and crack down on smugglers.

Hopefully border force will find an effective way to put a stop to the smuggling of bush meat.

Baxter Dmitry

Baxter Dmitry

Baxter Dmitry is a writer at The People's Voice. He covers politics, business and entertainment. Speaking truth to power since he learned to talk, Baxter has travelled in over 80 countries and won arguments in every single one. Live without fear.
Email: baxter@thepeoplesvoice.tv
Baxter Dmitry

3 Comments

  1. Keep inviting more foreigners in. Soon they’ll be smuggling human meat in… taste like pork (or so cannibals say)!!!!

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