CHICKEN prices across East Lancashire are soaring as the BSE crisis deepens - with worse to come.

And a major row blew up today after the Government slapped writs on two local firms for unpaid hygiene inspection bills.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued the writs to reclaim cash for inspections in slaughterhouses.

Wiswell Moor Meat, of Whalley, was issued with a £31,000 writ for failing to pay for a compulsory inspection under the Fresh Meat Regulations 1995. Butcher James Law, of Bacup, faces an action for £7,000.

But Lancashire Central Euro MP Mark Hendrick slammed the move as "insensitive and badly timed".

A MAFF spokesman said the timing of the action was a coincidence. "These case have been going on for months," he said. Meanwhile customers shunning beef have caused demand for poultry and other meats to rocket by as much as 50 per cent in the last week.

And traders warned prices - already up by as much as 30 per cent - could go on rising with other meats started to rise as well.

At Lawson's catering wholesalers in Clitheroe staff reported a 50 per cent jump in demand for chicken, turkey and duck.

"There isn't an excess of poultry in the system anyway and this sort of demand has pushed prices up considerably," said Matthew Lewis.

"And with Easter coming I think prices will continue to rise. I certainly don't think we've seen the end of it." Barry Thomas who runs a stall on the three day market in Blackburn, said over-the-counter poultry prices had increased by up to 30 per cent since last Thurdsay.

"We're doing our best to keep prices down but there just aren't enough chickens to meet demand.

This will affect the whole of the food chain."

Mr Thomas said bacon was also starting to show price rises as customers switched away from beef.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans today visited Rose County Foods' abattoirs in Sawley, which has axed 40 jobs this week because of the crisis, to discuss the situation with management.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.