The father of two young children has worked as a meat hygiene inspector for the Food Standards Agency for more than 12 years.

BBC: Public sector workers already 'feel the pinch'

Richard Billinge, from the Meat Hygiene Service which oversees the work of Great Britain's abattoirs, said more than half of the 305 red meat slaughterhouses were closed on Monday.

BBC: John Jones

But the sausage-meat project suggests another reason: hygiene.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

The expert warns about what he sees as a lack of animal hygiene standards, aggravated by the globalisation of animal and meat trade.

CNN: Foot and mouth: crisis at the door

Yet a bone of contention remains: Government investigators who'd visited the farm in Suffolk said hygiene standards were lax, with uncovered vents and gulls taking meat from open waste bins.

FORBES: U.K. Parliament Cries 'Fowl' Over Turkey Cull Payout