The APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) for Food Security visited DPHA (Dover Port Health Authority) to gain first-hand insight into the UK鈥檚 frontline efforts to safeguard national biosecurity and prevent illegal meat imports. The visit highlighted growing concerns over the potential threats posed by illicit food trade and the introduction of disease.
A critical line of defence
Dover, as the UK鈥檚 busiest roll-on/roll-off port, is a key entry point for goods 鈥� including food products 鈥� arriving from across Europe and beyond.
The DPHA is responsible for ensuring that imported products of animal origin comply with strict biosecurity standards designed to prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as ASF (African swine fever), FMD (foot-and-mouth disease), and other transboundary threats.
During the visit, APPG members Helen Morgan MP, Danny Chambers MP and Lord Trees observed the inspection and enforcement procedures carried out by DPHA officers.
The procedures included physical checks, documentary verification, and coordination with Border Force and other government agencies to intercept and confiscate non-compliant or illegal goods.
Illegal meat imports: a growing threat
One of the key concerns addressed was the persistent risk posed by illegal meat imports, particularly small quantities of pork and other products brought in through personal luggage or concealed within commercial shipments. These products often originate from regions where ASF is present, and their unregulated entry into the UK poses a direct risk to the livestock industry.
Collaboration and policy action
The APPG heard from DPHA staff about the logistical and operational challenges they face, including limitations in resources, the need for real-time data sharing, and the increasing volume of traffic.
Discussions focused on how government can better support frontline authorities through legislative updates, increased funding, and improved inter-agency coordination.
Action in parliament
While the APPG were in Dover, back in Westminster, the House of Lords debated amendments to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill relating to illegal meat and biosecurity, which was very timely.聽
Labour Peer Lord Rooker, former Defra Minister and Chair of the Food Standards Agency, tabled the amendments which sought to clarify that biosecurity is an element of border security and create a duty on the Border Security Commander to have regard for illegal meat imports.聽
Lord Rooker has been a hugely important voice supporting the NFU鈥檚 asks on biosecurity and his amendments were supported by former Defra Secretary Baroness Coffey, Climate Change Committee Chair Lord Deben, Baroness Ludford and The Bishop of Hereford.
皇家华人welcomed the Home Office Minister Lord Hanson confirming, 鈥渋t is absolutely right that biosecurity will be a key issue for the Border Security Commander. The threats posed to UK biosecurity by illegal meat imports are implicitly included within the definition of threats to border security in Clause 3. The commander will and does work closely with colleagues in Defra and Border Force through his board to ensure that the strategic priorities for border security are tackled.鈥�
