Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) has intercepted substantial amounts of illegally imported meat since 2022, a development deemed 'deeply concerning' by the pig sector.

As the Port of Dover continues efforts to combat African swine fever (ASF), the authority has confiscated 57 tonnes of imported pigmeat at the Port. Regulations implemented in 2022 prohibit travellers from bringing pork products weighing over 2kg into the UK from the EU unless they adhere to the bloc's commercial standards.

Beverley Edmondson, the port health manager at Dover District Council and Port Health Authority, expressed concern that this may only represent a fraction of the overall problem.

A predicted 90% of this unlawful trade is believed to enter the UK via Dover. Ms. Edmondson informed Pig World that DPHA staff have confiscated over 57t of illicit meat since the regulations were enacted, despite facing 'limited resources'.

Includes 5.5t of illegal meat seized during the weekend preceding Christmas. “We are seeing unprecedented quantities of illegal, non-compliant meat, unparalleled at any other point of entry,” Ms. Edmondson remarked.

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“Our experiences over the last 12 months have highlighted the scale and scope of the illegal meat trade, and why our work to remove it from the food chain is so critical. "We estimate that, for every tonne of illicit meat removed, there are multiple tonnes entering GB undetected,” she added.

Ms. Edmondson proposed that the responsibility for this task be placed under the jurisdiction of the port health authority instead of the Border Force, especially for high-risk locations such as Dover. She stressed the importance of allocating and maintaining appropriate resources to effectively prevent these imports.

The National Pig Association (NPA) expressed deep concern about the revelation of large-scale illegal meat seizures at Dover. Lizzie Wilson, NPA's chief executive stated: “With ASF continuing to spread in Europe, often by human mediated routes, this highlights the very real risk to our national pig herd,”

“We have been calling on government to ensure there are no further delays in introducing the Border TOM and to increase border controls for illegal meat imports as it is clear this vital work must be maintained and strengthened wherever possible.”

The NPA recently urged the government to take action to prevent and prepare for an ASF outbreak.