The Government does not accept this recommendation. As set out above, our intention is to focus short-term efforts on devising a revised strategic approach to the issue of illegal animal product imports via the Short Straits, working closely with a range of local and national partners, including DPHA. Senior officials within Defra are closely engaged in this work and the Minister for Biosecurity has committed to visiting DPHA as part of this process. We believe that the adequate level of oversight, visibility and strategic leadership can be put in place via these routes meaning it would be disproportionate to establish a bespoke taskforce in the immediate short term. UK Government ministers with oversight of the border are also considering the benefits of a ministerial group focussed on the ‘Goods Border’, which will provide strategic consideration of issues including illegal animal products. This will contribute to a revised strategic approach for the Short Straits. As referred to in response to the previous recommendation, we will consider whether a UK-wide strategy is an appropriate next step. We will revisit this recommendation as part of that consideration.