25
Accepted in Part
SPS agreement lacks mechanisms to prevent criminal activity from illegal meat imports
Conclusion
Both the EU and the UK are exposed to biosecurity risks from illegal meat imports. Although future access to EU data systems and intelligence within a common SPS area could support British border enforcement efforts, there is nothing within an SPS agreement to actively prevent or deter criminal activity linked to the trade of illegal meat. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72) 37
Government Response Summary
Defra has established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project and will develop a cross-government action plan, but does not accept that a strategy focused solely on demand drivers is the right approach.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The government partially accepts this recommendation. Defra has established a new Illegal Imports Improvement project which brings together existing work across a range of areas and is developing new workstreams. A cross-government action plan, agreed with FSA, FSS, Home Office, Border Force and other operational stakeholders will be amongst the first outputs of the project. This will consider demand, alongside other areas, and prioritise resource where evidence suggests the greatest impact will be delivered. Given this broader intention, we do not accept that the production of a strategy focussed solely on the demand drivers is the right approach in the short term.
Source
Inquiry
Animal and plant health
Report
5th Report - UK-EU agritrade: making an SPS agreement work
05 Feb 2026
HC 1661
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
05 Feb 2026