Animal and plant health

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 9 Jan 2025 Parliament page
Animal and plant diseases and pests have far-reaching impacts on the environment, agricultural and horticultural sectors, trade, human health, animal welfare, and the food that we eat. The UK’s animal and plant biosecurity capability is in a period of significant change: the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s critical infrastructure – … Read more
58 Recommendations
37 Conclusions
3 Reports
7 Oral sessions
47 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 67 events
19 May
2026
Correspondence
28 Apr
2026
Correspondence
17 Apr
2026
Report published
14 Apr
2026
Correspondence
14 Apr
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
17 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
17 Mar
2026
Correspondence
17 Mar
2026
Correspondence
17 Mar
2026
Correspondence
17 Mar
2026
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
17 Mar 2026
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EFRA Committee
Dr Rob Williams · British Veterinary Association Professor Caroline Argo · SRUC Veterinary School Professor Matt Jones · Harper and Keele Veterinary School Professor Tim Parkin · Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
9 Dec 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Baroness Hayman of Ullock · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dr Christine Middlemiss CB · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mark Thompson · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Professor Nicola Spence CBE · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
21 Oct 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Geoff Ogle · Food Standards Scotland (FSS) Katie Pettifer · Food Standards Agency (FSA)
6 May 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Gareth Baynham-Hughes · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Spencer Draper · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs The Baroness Hayman of Ullock · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
25 Mar 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Katrina Walsh · International Meat Trade Association Nichola Mallon · Logistics UK Nigel Jenney · Fresh Produce Consortium Sally Cullimore · Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
4 Mar 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Dr Christine Middlemiss · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Dr Jenny Stewart · Animal and Plant Health Agency Dr Jude McCann · Farming Community Network Lizzie Wilson · National Pig Association Richard Griffiths · British Poultry Council Sarah Tomlinson · TB Advisory Service
4 Feb 2025
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
David Smith · Border Force Helen Buckingham · OneResolution Lucy Manzano · Dover Port Health Authority
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
7 Recommendation Rejected
3rd report - Biosecurity at the bo…
Consult on and introduce a permanent, straightforward personal import policy for EU products.
Defra must consult on a permanent personal import policy for the EU by April 2026. It should prioritise safeguarding British farms and should be straightforward enough to be understood by travellers and to be enforced. The current temporary ban on … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to consult on a permanent personal import policy for the EU, stating they have no current plans to do so due to the deferral of personal import rules until 2027 and the implications of the SPS Agreement.
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12 Recommendation Rejected
3rd report - Biosecurity at the bo…
Responsibility for tackling illegal meat imports is fragmented, lacking clear ownership and leadership.
There is currently no identifiable or effective ownership of the issue of illegal meat imports. Responsibility is so fragmented across agencies that outdated, inefficient ways of working have been allowed to persist and the scale of the crisis has been … Read more
Government Response
The Government does not accept the recommendation to establish a bespoke taskforce, believing adequate oversight can be achieved through existing routes.
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13 Recommendation Rejected
3rd report - Biosecurity at the bo…
Establish a taskforce for illegal imports of animal products, led by the Minister for Biosecurity.
A taskforce for illegal imports of animal products should be established by November 2025, led by the Minister for Biosecurity, to provide oversight of the strategy’s design and implementation and to drive improvements. The taskforce should at least include the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects establishing a taskforce for illegal imports, deeming it disproportionate in the immediate short term. They intend to focus on a revised strategic approach for the Short Straits with existing partners and may revisit the recommendation later.
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19 Recommendation Rejected
3rd report - Biosecurity at the bo…
Require Defra to implement a plan for fining and prosecuting repeat animal product smugglers.
Defra must deliver a plan to immediately start fining and prosecuting repeat offenders and those who are attempting to smuggle significant amounts of animal products. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46) The Port of Dover
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for a Defra-led plan to fine and prosecute offenders, stating that enforcement powers do not sit with Defra. They encourage enforcement authorities to use existing sanctions and will work with relevant agencies to consider options to enhance enforcement at the Short Straits.
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4 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - UK-EU trade: towards …
Require Defra to assess intentional non-compliance within the BTOM and outline corrective steps.
In the review proposed above, Defra should work with relevant Government departments and non-departmental delivery partners to assess the scale and nature of intentional non-compliance and outline the steps it will take to address this. These lessons should also be … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects conducting the proposed review to assess intentional non-compliance, but agrees with the principle of investigating and addressing such issues, citing existing departmental actions and capabilities.
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20 Conclusion Rejected
4th Report - UK-EU trade: towards …
Dissatisfaction with inland BCP plant checks persists; PoD inspections could improve system efficiency.
Industry has expressed dissatisfaction with the current system of SPS checks on plants and plant products conducted at inland Border Control Posts (BCPs), citing concerns around value for money, inspection standards, and biosecurity. While a future SPS agreement with the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects reintroducing Place of Destination (PoD) inspections, stating the scheme was temporary, concluded in April 2024, and did not meet necessary biosecurity standards or legislative requirements for permanent facilities.
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14 Conclusion Rejected
5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: maki…
Ensure uninterrupted day-to-day functions amidst potential SPS negotiation failure
The Government and EU leadership broadly support reaching an SPS agreement, and it is currently feasible that the June 2027 ambition can be met. However, the Government must consider what will happen if negotiations take longer or ultimately fail, ensuring … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that negotiations are underway and current border and biosecurity measures will remain in place until a deal is reached or negotiations fail.
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15 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: maki…
Set out detailed contingency plans for SPS negotiations, ensuring continuity of core border functions
The Government should set out, in response to this report, its contingency plans for the SPS negotiations, recognising that an SPS agreement is not guaranteed. These should set out how core functions such as biosecurity, border operations, and regulatory oversight … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that negotiations are underway and current border and biosecurity measures will remain in place until a deal is reached or negotiations fail.
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16 Conclusion Rejected
5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: maki…
No clear explanation received for addressing internal market issues from Precision Breeding Act
The Committee did not receive a clear or satisfactory explanation of how the Government intends to address UK internal market issues created by the England only Precision Breeding Act. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation and says that Defra officials have regularly engaged devolved governments on the Precision Breeding Act, implementing Regulations and SPS negotiations related to precision breeding, and will continue to do so.
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17 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: maki…
Provide a clear, time-bound strategy for addressing UK internal market trade barriers
In response to this report, the Government should provide the Committee with a clear, time bound strategy for addressing market barriers to trade within the UK, including structured engagement with devolved governments and options for mutual recognition, common frameworks or … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation, stating that negotiations with the EU on an SPS Agreement are underway and Defra officials have regularly engaged devolved governments.
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Government Response AI assessment · 95 of 58 classified
Accepted 21
Accepted in Part 31
Acknowledged 28
Deferred 5
Rejected 10
Total 58 recs + 37 conclusions
Correspondence 47 letters
19 May 2026 Correspondence from the Agricultural Engineers Association regarding Silsoe Spray Applications, dated 30 April 2026
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28 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Association of Port Health Authorities to the Chair relating to UK-EU SPS agreement, dated 21 April 2026
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14 Apr 2026 Correspondence from the Chair of the Animal Sentience Committee relating to the Animal Welfare Strategy, dated 23 March 2026
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14 Apr 2026 Correspondence from the Ashford Borough Council Corporate Director for Port Health and Public Protection regarding Sevington BCP and UK-EU SPS negotiations, dated 1st April 2026
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24 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Marsha De Cordova MP in her capacity as Leader and Co-Chair of the UK Delegation to the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly on the Seventh Plenary Session, dated 20 March 2026
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24 Mar 2026 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding their two new reports on the restrictions of lead in ammunition and the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, dated 13 March 2026
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17 Mar 2026 Correspondence from the Dogs Trust regarding changes to the Companion Club, date 12 March 2026
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17 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Defra, re update on Defra's engagement on Home Office visa concession for sheep shearers, dated 10 March 2026
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17 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Baroness Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animal Welfare, regarding SPS update, dated 9 March 2026
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17 Mar 2026 Correspondence to Ashford Port Health Authority relating to non-attendance of commercial consignments at Sevington BCP, dated 17 March 2026
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13 Feb 2026 Correspondence from Michael Seals, Animal Sentience Committee regarding having written a letter setting out the Committee’s opinion on the impacts of definitions of animals in law, 4 February
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Baroness Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, re Defra’s attitude tracker and its insight into awareness of rules for personal imports of meat and dairy products, dated 19 January 2026
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Baroness Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, regarding Defra’s attitude tracker and the predicted timelines for Veterinary Surgeons Act reform (following evidence session on 9 December), dated January 2026
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13 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Michael Seals, Chair of the Animal Sentience Committee, regarding their stance on the recent policy paper: Replacing animals in science, dated 18 December 2025
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13 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Ann Cuthbert regarding systemic regulatory failure in the oversight of intensive livestock operations, dated December 2025
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13 Jan 2026 Correspondence to the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee relating to the work of the Cabinet Office, dated 8 January 2026
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16 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland following evidence session on 21 October 2025, dated 9 December 2025
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16 Dec 2025 Correspondence to Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State following the hearing on 9 December, dated 16 December 2025
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9 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Freight Liaison Group (FLG) in response to the Government response on illegal meat imports and UK border resilience, dated 27 November 2025
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18 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, regarding an announcement on replacing animals in science, dated 11 November 2025
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4 Nov 2025 Correspondence to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland following the evidence session on 21 October, dated 4 November 2025
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21 Oct 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding its report on Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, dated 13 October 2025
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21 Oct 2025 Correspondence from Seema Malhotra MP, PUSS, FCDO regarding the Introduction of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill, dated 10 September 2025
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21 Oct 2025 Correspondence from the Freight Liaison Group in response to the recently published reports into illegal meat imports and UK border resilience, dated 15 September 2025
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21 Oct 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding its report on Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill, dated 13 October 2025
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9 Sep 2025 Correspondence from Food Standards Scotland on the SPS Vet Agreement, dated 18 July 2025
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2 Sep 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding animal welfare labelling, dated 22 July 2025
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8 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Chair of the Food Standards Agency about Our Food 2024, dated 19 June 2025
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8 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee on planning policy reform, dated 24 June 2025
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18 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding biosecurity at the border, dated 6 June 2025
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18 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding UK-EU SPS Agreement, dated 4 June 2025
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10 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding the Marking of Retail Goods Regulations 2025, dated 5 June 2025,
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10 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding biosecurity at the border, dated 5 June 2025
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20 May 2025 Correspondence to the Minister for Biosecurity regarding biosecurity at the border, dated 20 May 2025
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6 May 2025 Correspondence from Dover Port Health Authority regarding foot and mouth disease, dated 30 April 2025
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6 May 2025 Correspondence from the Chief Veterinary Officer and Interim Chief Executive of the APHA regarding oral evidence on 4 March, dated 2 May 2025
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1 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Radoslav Stankov, Official Veterinarian, Dover Port Health Authority, regarding foot and mouth disease controls, dated 16 March 2025
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1 Apr 2025 correspondence from Lucy Manzano, Head of Public Protection and Port Health, Dover Port Health Authority, regarding the Committee's visit to the Short Straits border, dated 21 March 2025
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25 Mar 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to foot and mouth disease controls and funding for Dover Port Health Authority, dated 21 March 2025
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25 Mar 2025 Correspondence from CPC Foods relating to the ban on German pork meat imports, dated 12 March 2025
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11 Mar 2025 Correspondence to the Minister for Biosecurity, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to foot and mouth disease controls and funding for Dover Port Health Authority, dated 11 March 2025
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4 Mar 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding the National Biosecurity Centre, Weybridge, dated 24 February 2025
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4 Mar 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding biosecurity at the border, dated 24 February 2025
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4 Mar 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding its report on legislative compliance and enforcement of animal welfare legislation, dated 25 February 2025
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25 Feb 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, regarding Government Response to the Animal Sentience Committee's Report on the Online Safety Act, dated 12 February 2025
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11 Feb 2025 Correspondence to the Minister for Biosecurity relating to biosecurity at the border, dated 11 February 2025
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11 Feb 2025 Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding redevelopment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency Facility at Weybridge, dated January 2025
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