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Responsibility for tackling illegal meat imports is fragmented, lacking clear ownership and leadership.

Recommendation
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 Responsibility is so fragmented across agencies that outdated, inefficient ways of working have been allowed to persist and the scale of the crisis has been able to escalate to an intolerable degree. This is an issue that is in desperate need of focussed, energised leadership and personal accountability. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43)
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 11 November 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.0 yr
Report published 08 Sep 2025