The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has issued an urgent call for the UK Government to implement a comprehensive ban on all personal imports of meat products derived from pigs and ruminants.
AIMS said this decisive action is “imperative to protect the nation’s livestock” from the “imminent threats” posed by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF).
“The recent outbreak of FMD has now led to the UK banning imports of live animals and meat and dairy products from Germany,” said Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director at AIMS.
He continued: “However, personal imports of meat products continue to enter the country unchecked, particularly through our airports.
“This loophole presents a significant biosecurity risk, as both FMD and ASF viruses can survive in fresh and cured meat products for extended periods, remaining highly infectious.
“UK airports have become critical points of vulnerability. The lack of stringent controls allows passengers to bring in meat products without adequate scrutiny. A single discarded ham sandwich in areas like the New Forest or the Forest of Dean, where wild boar populations are prevalent, could trigger a catastrophic outbreak.
“Our own farming representatives and professional sources have indicated to us that the UK is woefully underprepared for an outbreak of this nature.”
“They need to implement an immediate and comprehensive prohibition on all personal imports of meat products from pigs and ruminants, regardless of origin.”
Jason Aldiss, AIMS
Aldiss said: “Our agri-livestock sector is a vital contributor to the UK’s GDP, and an incursion of FMD or ASF would have devastating economic consequences. The 2001 FMD outbreak resulted in the slaughter of over 6 million animals and caused financial losses estimated at £8 billion which, in today, allowing for inflation over the last 24 years would be around £17 billion.
“For a Government that stresses the need for food security they need to implement an immediate and comprehensive prohibition on all personal imports of meat products from pigs and ruminants, regardless of origin.
“They must also invest in robust screening and enforcement measures at all UK entry points, be they ports, the channel tunnel and especially airports to prevent illegal meat imports. And allocate resources to bolster our preparedness and response capabilities against exotic animal diseases.
“The time for half measures has passed. To safeguard our livestock industry and the broader economy, the UK must act decisively to eliminate the risk posed by personal meat imports. We call on the Government to prioritise this issue and implement the necessary measures without delay.”
