Britain is “sleepwalking” through its biggest food safety crisis since the horse meat scandal, an influential group of MPs has warned. After a foot and mouth disease outbreak on the continent earlier this year, Defra banned personal imports of most meat and dairy from the EU. But members of Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee say the ban has been “toothless”.
In an alarming report published on Monday, MPs warned that prohibited animal products continue to enter the UK through airports, ports and Eurotunnel in parcels, personal baggage and vehicles. Committee chair, Alistair Carmichael MP, 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. A still bigger concern is the very real risk of a major animal disease outbreak.”
Mr Carmichael said a single case of foot and mouth disease in Germany in January was “most likely” caused by illegally imported meat and cost the country’s economy £868million (1bn euros).
The committee warns that illegal meat imports carry a “high” risk of animal diseases that threaten the economy, farming and food security.
Illegally imported meat also risks public health as slaughter, handling and storage are unknown and unregulated.
The group of MPs also highlight that serious animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease and African swine fever can travel long distances and cross borders in contaminated meat and dairy products.
During their nine-month long inquiry, MPs heard gruesome details from experts who described meat arriving at the border stored in unsanitary conditions.
In a visit to the Port of Dover in March, MPs heard from one worker who said they found a whole pig stuffed into a suitcase with its legs cut off.
At the Port of Dover, health officials said they intercepted 70 tons of illegal meat imports from vehicles between January and the end of April. This compares with 24 tons over the same period in 2024.
MPs urged Defra to immediately start fining and prosecuting repeat offenders and those who attempt to smuggle significant amounts of animal products.
The committee noted Defra’s plan to crush vehicles carrying illegal imports, but warned this would not be a “silver bullet” to fix the problem.
Mr Carmichael urged the Government to “get a grip” on the crisis by setting up a national taskforce, strengthening food crime intelligence networks, enforcing “real” deterrents and giving port health and local authorities extra resources and powers.
A Defra spokesperson said: “This Government has significantly increased seizures of illegal meat, restricted the import of dangerous animal products, and is investing over £200m in a new National Biosecurity Centre.
“We will consider the recommendations of the EFRA committee as we continue to work closely with port operators, industry, trade partners and Border Force to protect our food security, farmers and economy.”
The volume of illegal meat successfully intercepted and seized at the UK border increased by 84% from 2022-2024, according to Government figures.