NFU Cymru urges tighter border controls over FMD fears
© Adobe Stock NFU Cymru has issued a stark warning to the UK government, calling for urgent action to strengthen border controls amid growing fears of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
The Welsh farming union says the threat posed by illegal meat imports is “very serious” and risks devastating the £1.8bn Welsh livestock industry.
In a letter (opens as PDF) sent to Welsh secretary Jo Stevens MP, NFU Cymru highlights recent FMD cases in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia, and urges a full ban on personal meat imports, particularly from the EU.
See also: Farm leaders warn FMD outbreak would cost UK £14.7bn
The UK government appears to have responded to the call. In an announcement on Friday 11 April, it revealed it had extended its ban on personal meat and dairy imports from all EU countries to prevent the spread of FMD.
From 12 April, travellers will no longer be allowed to bring items like raw meats, cured meats, or dairy from EU countries into Great Britain.
The new restrictions aim to safeguard British livestock, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers, with violations carrying fines up to £5,000.
“While there are no current cases of FMD in the UK, the disease has been detected in several EU countries, posing a significant risk to UK farming,” said a statement from Defra.
Dover loophole
Since September 2022, more than 190t of illegal meat have been seized at the Port of Dover alone – including 10t in a single week this January.
“With cases confirmed on the continent, the memories of 2001 send a chill down the spine of the Welsh farming community,” said NFU Cymru Livestock Board chairman Rob Lewis.
“We must operate a ‘keep it out’ policy – failure to do so will have devastating consequences.”
The 2001 FMD outbreak, which cost the UK economy more than £8bn, led to the slaughter of more than 800,000 animals and left lasting scars on Welsh agriculture.
NFU Cymru is now pressing for enhanced funding and enforcement powers for border authorities, labelling the current system “unfit for purpose”.
While personal imports of meat from non-EU countries are banned, meat from the EU is still allowed – a loophole NFU Cymru believes is being exploited.
Significant meat seizure
The union also cited a significant seizure of illegal meat in Northern Ireland in March, as reported exclusively by Farmers Weekly, as further proof the issue extends beyond Channel ports.
“The Border Target Operating Model isn’t working,” added NFU Cymru Dairy Board chairman Jonathan Wilkinson.
“We need a robust, UK-wide biosecurity and investment plan now – before it’s too late.”
The UK government says the current risk of an FMD outbreak occurring is “medium”. The last outbreak in the UK was in 2007, and FMD is not a public health or food safety risk.
The government says it will do “whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by FMD”.
It pointed out it is also investing more than £200m to modernise facilities at Weybridge and improve the country’s resilience against animal disease to protect farmers and food producers.
How to spot and report suspected FMD cases
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids and deer.
Key signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed.
In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness and potential for blistering.
There are some photos of clinical signs of foot and mouth disease on Flickr, and the latest information on FMD can be found at gov.uk.
FMD is a notifiable disease and must be reported.
If you suspect the disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, or to your local Field Services Office in Scotland.