Government accused of delaying action on tackling foot and mouth and African swine fever border protections
Threats from animal diseases such as foot and mouth (FMD) and African swine fever will not wait for the Government to conclude a deal with the European Union, MPs have warned.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published a report earlier this year warning that an alarming amount of illegal meat and dairy products are being smuggled into the UK, which could be “catastrophic” for the agriculture sector.
MPs said they witnessed “vans stuffed with room temperature meat products packaged in plastic bags, newspaper and cardboard boxes” which are then being sold at markets.
The found that the Government had no effective oversight of border controls, leaving the UK’s biosecurity at “serious risk”.
A recent FMD outbreak in Germany cost its economy 1bn euros, while African swine fever is rife in eastern European countries like Romania.
This week, the Government responded to the report, saying it “shares the committee’s concerns about illegal imports of meat and dairy products into England and the potential risks posed to animal health and food safety”.
However, it said many of the actions were being delayed until the conclusion of negotiations with the EU for a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal.
This is set to establish a UK-EU SPS zone which will allow easier food trade with Europe, and cut red tape on businesses.
Certain checks on live animal products have already been axed in preparation for the deal.
The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said checks would remain on at-risk products.
However, Efra Committee chair Alistair Carmichael warned that by waiting for the EU deal it may be too late.
He said: “The SPS Agreement is not going to regulate those who chop up animals and transport them in suitcases – which we witnessed on the committee’s visit to the Port Health Authority in Dover.
“The Government’s approach to threats to the UK’s biosecurity is to leave the UK sitting in the firing line. Pathogens don’t wait for policy — that’s why urgency in biosecurity matters.
“African swine fever, FMD – whatever the next threat to animal health will be – we cannot wait for the UK’s negotiations with the EU to conclude, never mind wait for implementation.
“Our report found that there is currently no effective deterrent to meat smuggling and the risks to animal and human health, our food security, farming sector and the economy are significant.”
The committee’s cross-party group of MPs said they were “concerned” by the lack of urgency from ministers.
Speaking earlier in the week, Defra’s biosecurity director general Emily Miles said: “The key thing really is supporting Dover in doing the work they are doing in intercepting illegal meat coming in.
“We have given them £3m this year and I am looking at whether we can increase that for next year. We think that is essential work.”
A Government spokesperson added: “Rebuilding the UK’s biosecurity remains a key government priority, and we are investing £1bn in a new National Biosecurity Centre to boost our world leading facilities and protect our farmers, food supply and economy.
“The Border Target Operating Model is designed to protect our livestock, crops and food chain from dangerous diseases while minimising disruption to trade, and must be followed while we finalise our veterinary agreement with the EU that will make trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier.”