UK farmers are calling for tougher enforcement at ports to tackle illegal meat imports, warning of serious biosecurity risks to the livestock sector.

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UK farming groups are pressing the government to strengthen enforcement against illegal meat imports, warning that weak controls at ports are leaving the livestock sector exposed to the risk of serious disease outbreaks.

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Concerns were raised in Parliament after Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers highlighted what he described as significant gaps in the powers available to authorities tackling illegal meat entering the UK, particularly through major entry points such as Dover. Farmers fear that unregulated imports could introduce notifiable diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever, with potentially devastating consequences for animal health, farm incomes, and export markets.

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Industry representatives argue that while farmers are subject to strict biosecurity rules and inspections, those smuggling illegal meat face limited deterrents at the border. Calls have been made for better resourcing of port authorities, stronger enforcement powers, and tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

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The government acknowledged the importance of the issue, with ministers saying the matter is being taken seriously, though no immediate changes to enforcement powers have yet been confirmed.

Source:Farming UK, This article is a condensed and independently written summary of original reporting and market data from Farming UK, adapted for Dalytrading.co.uk