Illegal meat trade highlights need for ‘tighter biosecurity measures’

With close to 34t of illegal meat being intercepted at the Port of Dover in January, Carla Lockhart MP is calling for tighter biosecurity measures and tougher penalties.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agriculture spokesperson said: “It is alarmingly clear that the government’s approach to biosecurity at UK ports is dangerously inadequate and severely underfunded.

“This illicit trade in banned meat and dairy products cannot be allowed to continue.”

She called on ministers to urgently strengthen biosecurity, and highlighted that “effective biosecurity starts at the borders as the UK is under threat from an unrestricted flow of illegal meat products being smuggled in luggage or concealed in commercial cargo”.

“The escalating situation should serve as an urgent wake-up call.

“With more than 300t of smuggled meat seized since September 2022, it is obvious that existing measures simply aren’t robust enough.” said Lockhart.

The Upper Bann MP reminded people that February 19 marked 25 years since the UK was impacted by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

According to Lockhart, FMD affected over 2,000 farms and resulting in the loss of more than six million cattle and sheep, costing an estimated £8 billion.

The “painful and devastating lessons” of 2001 should serve as a constant reminder of the vulnerability of our agricultural sector, Lockhart said.

“We certainly don’t want to relive the upsetting scenes, showing millions of animals burning on huge pyres across the countryside.”

The DUP’s agriculture spokesperson said she has raised this issue with Labour ministers on a number of occasions, both in writing and during debates in the House of Commons.

Despite reassurances that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is fully committed to protecting the agri-food industry, Lockhart said “it is clear there is a need for tighter biosecurity measures”.

The MP stated: “Personal and criminal imports of undeclared and, potentially infected meat and animal products, are a huge risk to our livestock population, especially from diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease.

“These diseases are present in regions throughout Europe, and it would be catastrophic if they reached UK shores.”

She added that there is no greater priority than protecting British farmers, securing food supply and safeguarding the health of UK livestock.

“Anything less is irresponsible, and leaves the UK extremely vulnerable to preventable but devastating disease outbreaks,” she added.

The Upper Bann MP discussed the impact illegal meat imports could have on rural UK communities.

“There is no doubt that the illegal trafficking of meat and other food products is severely undermining GB and Northern Ireland,” Lockhart said.

“A disease incursion could rapidly destroy rural communities, and I don’t think the government fully appreciates the severity of the situation or realises what’s at stake.

““Those responsible are also putting human health at risk of bacteria, viruses and parasites, as the consignments are not refrigerated and transported in unsanitary conditions.,” she added.

Lockhart called on Defra to “get a grip of this hugely concerning situation before it evolves into a deeply damaging crisis”.

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