ILLEGALLY imported dried and frozen meat on open sale in the North-East has been seized in a series of raids.

Health officials removed more than 500 packets of beef products and pork spring rolls from two Chinese supermarkets plus frozen pork won tons from another - amid fears they could pose a risk of spreading foot-and-mouth.

The products, originating from the Far East, were being sold in Newcastle's China Town - a few miles from the believed source of the epidemic at Heddon-on-the-Wall where it is suspected infected meat may have been used in pig swill.

Britain has banned the import of raw and most cooked meats from China and other countries, mainly Asia and Africa, where the disease is endemic.

Doug Fox, of Newcastle's public health department, said staff were now trying to trace how they got into the country.

Last week, it was reported that illegal meat labelled for a Chinese restaurant had been found among household goods after confirmation of the Heddon-on-the-Wall case.

Chairman of the North-East Chinese Association, Tommy Chu, said: "Many Chinese supermarkets stock snack food products like this but the owners should be aware of what is legal and what is not."

Meanwhile, pressure was last night mounting on Prime Minister Tony Blair to decide if Britain should move towards a vaccination policy.

The spread of disease has continued, with the total number of UK cases standing at 891.

New cases were confirmed over the weekend in County Durham, at High Toft Hill Farm, Toft Hill, Greenfield Farm, Etherley, and Low Stanley Farm, Tow Law, all near Bishop Auckland.

Nationally, more than 940,000 animals are earmarked for slaughter.

The process of burying sheep carcasses in two pits began over the weekend at Chapman's Well landfill site, only 500 yards from Quaking Houses, near Stanley, County Durham.

The commander of 15 (North-East) Brigade, Brigadier Andrew Farquhar said the animals from across the region, would pose no greater risk than household waste. Officials say it will be used only short-term while alternative sites are considered.

A meeting is due today between Durham County Council, Maff and the Environment Agency to discuss other possible burial sites, including Salter's Gate, near Tow Law, and a quarry near Stanhope.

Maff had been expected to confirm a list of burial sites on Saturday. A spokesman declined to comment over the possible use of Port Clarence on Teesside.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown met farming and Army chiefs at the North-East foot-and-mouth nerve centre in Newcastle, yesterday.

Lt Col Gary Donaldson told Mr Brown that vets and soldiers were facing burnout.

"We are finding vets in tears. Not only are they killing animals they want to cure, they are also dealing with farmers in extreme trauma," he said.

This year's Cheltenham Racing Festival - which had already been postponed once - was cancelled yesterday because of the epidemic.

And rugby union chiefs have also backed a decision to conclude the 2001 Six Nations Championship next season.

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