Call for action to protect livestock

INCREASING fears over foot and mouth disease (FMD) have prompted NFU Cymru to urge the UK Government to tighten border controls to help protect the Welsh livestock industry.

- STAFF REPORTER

The Welsh farming union has written to the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, detailing “very serious concerns” over the volumes of illegal meat being imported into the UK.

Since September 2022, border officers have seized over 190 tonnes of illegally imported meat products at the Port of Dover, with 10 tonnes being seized during just one week in January 2024.

With cases of FMD confirmed on mainland Europe in recent weeks, NFU Cymru is calling for the UK Government to take urgent action on border and import controls, including a complete permanent ban on personal meat imports. Illegal meat imports carry a significant biosecurity risk, in particular for carrying FMD and African swine fever.

While FMD poses no risk to humans or the food chain, the disease is catastrophic to livestock farming businesses.