Urgent Action Demanded to Stop Illegal Meat Imports in UK 

 

The UK government is facing mounting pressure to address a surge in illegal meat imports, with warnings from farmers and experts that the situation could escalate to a crisis comparable to the devastating 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak.

 

Data obtained by BBC News reveals that the amount of meat seized by Border Force officials has doubled in a year, rising from nearly 35,000kg in 2022/23 to over 70,000kg in 2023/24. The trend shows no sign of slowing, with preliminary figures for the first four months of 2024/25 indicating a further significant increase.

 

The rise in illegal imports is attributed to several factors, including tighter restrictions on pork product imports, rising meat prices, and the growing involvement of organized crime. While the exact breakdown of beef, pork, and lamb seizures is unknown, red meat comprises the majority.

 

The most alarming concern is the potential for the highly contagious African swine fever (ASF) to enter the UK. The disease, which has been spreading across Europe’s pig herds since last summer, leads to high death rates and has no effective treatment or vaccine.

 

Farmers and MPs are calling for the government to allocate significant funding in the upcoming Budget to strengthen border controls and prevent ASF from reaching UK shores. Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers’ Union, expressed his lack of confidence in the government’s commitment to implementing necessary measures.

 

Dr Neil Hudson, a Conservative MP and former veterinary surgeon who witnessed firsthand the devastation of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, echoed these concerns. He described the potential consequences of ASF entering the UK as “catastrophic” and called for a £2.8bn investment to fully refurbish the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency.

 

The 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak cost the UK economy an estimated £8 billion, equivalent to £14.5 billion today. The potential economic and social impact of ASF could be even greater.

 

The data suggests that the increase in seizures is not due to improved detection rates. Rather, it highlights the scale of the problem and raises fears about the amount of illegal meat that is slipping through undetected. The trend towards fewer, larger seizures points to a growing role of organized criminal activity.

 

The government faces a critical decision in the upcoming Budget. Failure to address this issue could have dire consequences for UK agriculture, food security, and the economy.