Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Wednesday February 5, 2025

Illegal meat floods UK high streets amid post-Brexit border failures, warns health official

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Senior health official raises alarm over surge in illegal meat, blaming post-Brexit border control failures

A senior health official has sounded the alarm over a troubling rise in illegal meat products on UK high streets, blaming the post-Brexit border checks for undermining efforts to protect the country from potentially disease-ridden imports. Lucy Manzano, head of the Dover Port Health Authority, told MPs that the new border system, which directs drivers to a distant inspection site in Sevington, has led to widespread non-compliance, making it easier for illegal meat to flood the UK market.

Manzano’s comments come amid growing concerns over European outbreaks of animal diseases, which have heightened the risks of unsafe meat entering the country. Despite government assurances that the new post-Brexit system is robust enough to safeguard the UK’s biosecurity, Manzano criticized the system’s flaws, particularly the lack of enforcement at the border. She revealed that illegal meat, which has not gone through proper health checks, is now commonly found in UK shops, with consumers unaware of the risks.

In a damning assessment, Manzano stated that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has overstated the effectiveness of the system, highlighting that many lorries fail to undergo the required checks at Sevington. The lack of adequate control at the point of arrival means that potentially unsafe meat enters the supply chain without scrutiny. She added that while almost 100 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at Dover last year, much more may have slipped through the cracks.

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The government insists that it is working closely with enforcement agencies and remains committed to safeguarding the UK’s biosecurity. However, the Treasury’s decision not to implement on-site checks at Dover due to traffic concerns has raised questions about the government’s priorities. Critics argue that biosecurity should take precedence over logistical concerns.

Manzano also pointed out that the funding for spot checks, which have proven effective at catching illegal imports, is set to expire in just seven weeks. Without continued funding, these critical checks could come to a halt, further exposing the UK to the risks associated with unchecked meat imports.

As the government grapples with funding decisions and border control issues, the situation continues to raise serious concerns about the safety of the UK food supply and the effectiveness of post-Brexit trade regulations.

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