The Food Standards Agency has welcomed the conclusion of the first prosecution brought as a result of the investigation into the horse meat incident in 2013.

Peter Boddy was today fined £8000 at Southwark Crown Court after he admitted failing to comply with food traceability regulations. He had admitted to selling horses for meat but failed to keep proper records to show who bought them. David Moss was given a four-months suspended prison sentence for falsifying an invoice. They were each asked to pay costs of more than £10,000.

FSA continues to support ongoing investigations as well as announcing today Andy Morling was named the Head of the Food Crime Unit.

Andy has extensive experience in intelligence and investigations, having spent the majority of his career working in these areas for HM Revenue & Customs, the Serious Fraud Office, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, and latterly the National Crime Agency, where he was a Senior Intelligence Lead.

The Food Crime Unit was established at the end of last year. During its first phase the Unit is focusing on building intelligence and evidence of the risks and the nature of food fraud and food crime in the UK. The unit exchanges intelligence and priorities at local, regional and national levels with a range of enforcement partners.