Farm leaders warn FMD outbreak would cost UK £14.7bn

Farm leaders are warning about the rising threat of illegal meat imports.

The warning comes amid growing fears that diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) could wreak havoc on the UK’s agricultural industry and inflict billions of pounds of economic damage.

With increasing outbreaks in Europe, there is mounting pressure on the government for stronger protections at the UK border to avoid another epidemic.

Rob Mutimer, chairman of the National Pig Association, warned that the UK’s £1.6bn pig industry, which heavily relies on exports, faces a significant threat from illegal meat smuggling.

Much of the illegal meat comes from Romania, which has been badly affected by ASF.

See also: Austria faces export ban as foot-and-mouth disease spreads

Speaking at an NFU press briefing in London on 1 April, Mr Mutimer warned of the catastrophic consequences if either disease entered the UK.

“If these diseases come in, we lose our export markets [worth about £600m a year], and regaining them could take a decade,” he said.

The 2001 FMD outbreak cost the UK economy the current equivalent of £14.7bn, and farmers fear a repeat could be financially crippling.

A key concern is the rise in illegal meat entering the UK, especially from regions affected by ASF.

An outrbreak of ASF, another notifiable disease, would cost the UK economy an estimated £10m to £100m, the NPA says.

Criminal gangs are reportedly smuggling large quantities of unrefrigerated meat, often through the port of Dover, which is ill-equipped for inspections.

“Since spring 2022, around 200t of illegal meat have been seized at Dover, but we believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said Mr Mutimer.

He also criticised the government’s inadequate border control resources, highlighting that the Sevington border control post is falling way short of its inspection targets.

Many smuggled products slip through unchecked. “Our major issue is the lack of resources, and when illegal meat is caught, it’s simply confiscated without consequences,” he added.

He also noted that Defra secretary Steve Reed had “gone very quiet” after his recent pledge to crush vehicles involved in the illegal meat trade, a measure meant to deter offenders.

Robust checks needed

The NFU and former Labour Defra minister Lord Rooker are urging the government to strengthen biosecurity measures, including more robust checks at airports for passengers arriving from countries with recent outbreaks.

Lord Rooker stressed the need for a comprehensive biosecurity plan to prevent an outbreak that could harm the nation’s food security.

A Defra spokesman stated that the government “will do whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers”.

The department highlighted recent import restrictions from affected countries and a £200m investment at Pirbright to enhance resilience against animal diseases.