Defra minister tells MPs he ‘shares their concerns’ over illegal meat checks at Dover
There was an interesting debate on biosecurity in parliament last week, secured and led by the newly-elected MP Ben Goldsborough (Lab, South Norfolk).
During his speech to kickstart the Westminster Hall debate, he talked about the various disease threats experienced in his patch, including an outbreak of bluetongue BTV earlier this year and the previous outbreaks of avian influenza.
He went on to discuss ASF and the risk that poses to the UK pig industry. He welcomed the personal import measures introduced in September and the money allocated to DPHA but asked the minister to outline what further steps they are taking to prevent an ASF outbreak in the UK. He finished by calling on the minister to strengthen our border controls.
Luke Charters (Lab, York Outer) started off by highlighting the work of the new APPG for Food Security, which he chairs, and stressed that 'biosecurity is national security'.
He said: "I recently had a meeting with the Dover Port Health Authority. I commend Bev Edmonson, the port health and public protection manager, whose dedication and commitment to public health really stood out.
"The amount of meat seized by Border Force officials has doubled in a year. The APPG was briefed on cases of illegal meat entering the UK-a risk to human and public health because of Trichinella, for example.
"There is also a significant biosecurity risk of African swine fever coming into the UK via that point of entry and entering into commercial pig production. To underline the point, I am not one for scaremongering, but the National Audit Office estimated that the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak cost the UK economy £8 billion, which is equivalent to almost double that amount today".
He went on to call for a multi year funding settlement for DPHA and for Defra to provide a medium term implementation and status update on BTOM.
'Mega farm'
Terry Jermy (Lab, South West Norfolk) started his speech by discussing the Cranswick planning application for a site expansion at Methwold in his constituency, describing it as a mega-farm.
He said that he and residents are concerned that 'intensive farming is contributing to biodiversity loss, as well to as climate change and air and water pollution. Very often such farming practices adversely affect people living nearby, especially because of the health hazard posed by ammonia pollution'.
Speaking as the party spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury and Somerton), who also sits on the EFRA Committee, echoed some of the sentiment of previous speakers about the threats posed by these animal diseases.
"What concerns me most, however, is not any single one of those diseases or pests; it is what would happen if the UK were to be hit with two or more outbreaks concurrently, with the likelihood being greater than ever".
"It is worrying that imports of illegal meats have doubled to almost 70,000kg this year, which leaves us particularly vulnerable to African swine fever and foot and mouth disease.
"Although this must be tackled first and foremost by developing a joint strategy with Europol and Eurojust, the Government could also slash the demand for these illegal imports by allowing food producers to provide cuts and products favoured by different communities safely. For example, if skin-on lamb was produced in the UK, the incentive to import it illegally would fall to near zero".
Biosecurity
Shadow Defra Minister Dr Neil Hudson (Con, Epping Forest) highlighted figures published by the European Commission detailing cases of ASF in more than 20 nations across the continent, pointing out the need for vigilance in the UK.
He also highlighted an FOI request from the BBC which showed that Border Force seized 70,000 kg of illegal, and therefore unregulated, meat in the 2023-24 financial year, up from 35,000 kg the year before.
He asked the minister to provide an update on BTOM’s capacity to safeguard from ASF and FMD. Pointing out that the checks at Sevington are 22 miles inland, he asked for reassurance that ‘we will still be able to carry out random spot checks within the port of Dover itself’.
Responding for the government, Mr Zeichner (Lab, Cambridge) spoke positively about the matter, picking up a lot of other members speeches. "There is actually a lot of agreement in the Chamber this morning about the importance of the issue and our support for those working on it", he said.
He stressed that prevention is better than cure and insisted that 'preventing an outbreak of African swine fever in the UK, remains one of our key biosecurity priorities'.
He said that, to help prevent an ASF outbreak, there are robust safeguards in place, including a ban on live pigs, wild boar or pork products entering GB from affected EU areas, enforced by Border Force and Port Health Authority officers.
He highlighted new measures brought earlier this year and said Defra and its agencies 'continuously review the spread of ASF and other diseases, and are ready to introduce further biosecurity restrictions, should they be deemed necessary, in response to new scientific and risk data'.
Mr Hudson intervened to challenge the minister on the ability to conduct random spot checks within the Port of Dover itself.
The response from the minister was simply: “I absolutely share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. We are working closely with the Port Health Authority to make sure that everything that needs to be done can be done".
When unprepared, the change in climate and feed, as well as shock from travel, can cause a lag in...
In a key update for the agricultural sector, Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) rec...
The commitment to the quality of life of animals is reflected in every stage of the production pr...
