Bosses at an East Lancashire slaughterhouse could stand trial later this year accused of contravening EU provisions in relation to food safety and hygiene.

Representatives from Riley Foods Limited, which has a slaughterhouse at Dunnockshaw Farm, Burnley Road, Burnley, were summonsed to appear in court on Thursday (January 11) for a plea hearing, after the firm was charged with three counts of contravening/failing to comply with EU provision concerning food safety and hygiene.

The prosecution, which is being brought by the Food Standards Agency, relates to alleged contraventions in food health and safety which are said to have occurred between August 26 2021 and November 7 2022.

However, no representative for the firm appeared at Burnley Crown Court for the hearing, so no official plea could be entered in respect of the charges.

Instead, a provisional trial date of November 11, 2024 was set, with proceedings expected to take no longer than five days.

A further case management hearing will take place on May 21, where additional discussions will be carried out.

It is believed Riley Foods Limited will be required to enter a formal plea at a later date also, with a pre-trial review hearing to be scheduled upon conclusion of the further case management hearing.

If Riley Foods Limited plead guilty to all three charges however, a sentence date will be set in lieu of a trial.

In January 2016, Riley Foods Limited, which was then known as Riley Brothers, a family firm with a 100-year history, went bust.

It is believed Stephen Riley, one of the original directors, took over the running of the major meat supplier, and renamed the company Riley Foods Limited in 2017.