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Illegal pork imports spark African swine fever concerns
Authorities at the Port of Dover have seized 57 tonnes of illegally imported pigmeat since September 2022.
NPA calls for the Government to do more to lower risk.

The National Pig Association (NPA) has called on the Government to do more to crack down on illegal pigmeat imports, following reports of the large amount arriving at the Port of Dover.

With African swine fever continuing to spread in Europe, the NPA fears that the disease could be brought into the UK via infected meat.

Rules preventing travellers from the EU bringing in pork products weighing more than 2kg unless produced to EU commercial standards were introduced in September 2022 to protect pigs in the UK from ASF. Since then, the Dover Port Health Authority has seized 57 tonnes of illegally imported pigmeat.

The figure includes 5.5 tonnes seized during the weekend before Christmas.

However, the port authorities have warned the true amount of illegally imported meat might be even higher, with significant quantities believed to be entering the UK undetected.

In response, the NPA has called for the restrictions on non-commercial pork imports to be extended to cover imports weighing less than 2kg.

The industry organisation also wants the Government to make sure that the necessary resources are made available for border checks and not to delay any further the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model, which will introduce additional post-Brexit checks on food and animal products.

Lizzie Wilson, NPA chief executive, said: “The most worrying aspect of all this is the assumption that the meat being seized at Dover represents only the tip of the iceberg. It is, sadly, inevitable that lots of this illegally imported meat is getting into the country, some of which could well be infected with ASF.

“We understand, anecdotally, that due to the cost-of-living crisis, there is a growing black market for meat in this country, which will be driving the demand for illegally imported meat for both domestic and commercial use.

“As we know from the regular emergence of ASF in new areas across Europe, often attributed to human spread, it will only take one incident of a piece of infected meat reaching a pig to bring the entire pig industry to its knees.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.