Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted in Part
Illegal meat imports pose significant disease threat, increasing fifty-five-fold at Dover Port
Conclusion
Illegally imported meat and animal products, which have not gone through checks to confirm they are disease-free and conform to UK health standards, pose a significant and growing threat for introducing new animal diseases, such as African swine fever. Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) seized 22 tonnes of illegal meat in January 2025 compared with 0.4 tonnes in January 2023, a fifty-five-fold increase.36 The Department told us that it was not sure whether this is due to an increase in actual imports, or better surveillance and enforcement activities, but it was concerned by the increase.37
Government Response Summary
The government has a plan to address illegal imports outlined in its response to the EFRA Committee, has stepped up communications to travellers, is focusing on its relationship with Dover Port Health Authority, and is actively considering increases to funding for Dover Port Health Authority. APHA will publish details of a new methodology to improve estimates of illegal meat imports in early 2026 with data analysis to follow at the end of 2026.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2026 7.2 The department has set out a plan to address concerns around illegal imports in the government response to the recent EFRA Select Committee report ‘Britain’s illegal meat crisis’. Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis: Government Response 7.3 The department has noted calls to do more to educate travellers about the consequences of bringing illegal food products into the United Kingdom. In recent months, it has worked with travel operators and other government departments to step up communications informing travellers of the restrictions on personal imports of food products, including via GOV.UK, posters and social media channels. This includes the reasons for the restrictions and the consequences of non-compliance. The department’s communications team conducts regular surveys to assess awareness of its public communications. 7.4 The department is focussing on developing its relationship with Dover Port Health Authority and establishing a revised strategic approach to the issue of illegal meat imports via the Short Straits. As part of this, the department will draw on the expertise of the operational staff at Dover to better understand the seizure data. The department is now actively considering increases to the funding for Dover Port Health Authority to improve operational coverage to tackle illegal meat imports. Funding decisions will take account of preventing the costs of major disease outbreaks. Border Force is funded by the Home Office. 7.5 APHA sought views and opinions from relevant experts in 2025, to improve estimates of illegal meat imports. It aims to publish details of the new methodology in early 2026 with data analysis to follow at the end of 2026.