Illegally imported meat threatens a “food safety crisis”

Report says a coordinated strategy is urgently needed to tackle illegal meat imports, and CIEH welcomes opportunity to be part of proposed taskforce

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (Efra) have stated in a report that, “Alarming amounts of meat and dairy products are now being illegally imported to Great Britain for both personal consumption and sale”. 

The report highlights that illegal meat imports, which have been increasing for a number of years under a succession of governments, carry a high risk of animal diseases that threaten food security, farming and the economy. They highlight that some of the most serious animal diseases, like foot and mouth disease and African swine fever (ASF), can travel long distances and cross borders in contaminated meat and dairy products.   

Illegally imported meat also poses a serious health risk to consumers, as the conditions of slaughter, handling and storage are unknown and unregulated, meaning it is more likely to carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause illness in humans. 

Alistair Carmichael MP, Chair of the Efra Committee, said, “Every day, vans laden with undeclared, unhygienic and unrefrigerated meat are rolling through our ports for distribution and sale in Britain. The authorities tasked with tackling this wave of illegal produce find themselves without the necessary leadership, resources and intelligence to do so. 

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that Britain is sleepwalking through its biggest food safety crisis since the horse meat scandal,” added Carmichael. “A still bigger concern is the very real risk of a major animal disease outbreak. The single case of foot and mouth disease in Germany this year, most likely caused by illegally imported meat, cost its economy one billion euros.” 

The Committee’s report contests Defra’s reassurance that 'intelligence led checks' are being performed at the border and also states that there is no effective deterrent to meat smuggling. MPs are calling on Defra to deliver a plan to immediately start fining and prosecuting repeat offenders and those who are attempting to smuggle significant amounts of animal products.

The Committee is also calling for the creation of a strategy for product of animal origin (POAO) smuggling, in collaboration with the National Food Crime Unit (FSA), the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (FSS), port health authorities, inland local authorities and Border Force.  

“Illegal meat imports pose a serious threat, not only to public health but also to biosecurity and the integrity of our food systems.”

Tony Baldock, member of the CIEH advisory panel on Port Health and Chair of the Association of Port Health Authorities (APHA), said, “Illegal meat imports pose a serious threat, not only to public health but also to biosecurity and the integrity of our food systems. Environmental health professionals are uniquely positioned to identify, investigate, and help prevent these illicit activities through their expertise in food safety, border controls, and regulatory enforcement.

“As the Efra committee report outlines, a coordinated strategy is urgently needed to tackle this growing issue and we would welcome the opportunity to be part of the proposed taskforce and are committed to working collaboratively as part of this process.”

Carmichael said the problem has been building over a number of years and called on the government to “get a grip on what has become a crisis, by establishing a national taskforce with proper leadership and a strategy, boosting food crime intelligence networks, creating and enforcing real deterrents to tackle the criminal enterprises involved and equipping port health and local authorities with the resources and the powers they need.” 

Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive, British Poultry Council (BPC) is also calling for robust measures to stop illegal imports: “The lack of clear ownership, resources, and coordination in this area is unacceptable. We support the Committee’s call for a national taskforce and a coherent strategy to tackle products of animal origin (POAO) smuggling.”