The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has called on the government to introduce stricter measures against travellers bringing prohibited food items into the UK as it risks the arrival of African swine fever.
The virus, although not currently present in the UK, has jumped 600km from Germany to a pig farm close to the French border, posing a risk to British farmers as it edges closer.
The research, which came from a recent government report, saw that African swine fever likely spread across countries through contaminated meat, discarded by travellers within the area.
In April, opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg confirmed in a written statement that physical checks on fresh food from the EU has been delayed for the fourth time with a strategy set to be announced this autumn.
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This decision has since left pig farmers vulnerable as an infection at a farm could lead to an entire herd being culled or an immediate ban on UK pork export to international trading partners, such as China.
The repercussions could see a large drop in exports and cost the industry millions in lost trade.
“We are calling on the government to make travellers more aware of the risks of bringing prohibited food items into the UK and to encourage them to dispose of those products responsibly before entry,” The British Meat Processors Association CEO, Nick Allen said.
“We would also like to see spot checks introduced as a further measure to improve biosecurity.”
Whilst the government report places the current risk ‘at medium’, it states, ‘all travellers are strongly advised to avoid bringing, buying, ordering on the internet, or requesting any pork products – for example, fresh or frozen meat, dried or cured meats, sausages, salamis, or pâté – back to the UK from affected parts of Europe.’
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