18
No effective deterrent exists for meat smuggling, allowing smugglers to operate with impunity.
Conclusion
There is currently no effective deterrent to meat smuggling and smugglers are operating with impunity as a result. Defra’s proposal to crush vans carrying illegal imports is not a silver bullet for this issue and may be challenging to practically implement at the border. (Conclusion, Paragraph 46)
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.
Source
Inquiry
Biosecurity and animal welfare
Report
3rd report - Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis
08 Sep 2025
HC 1296
Addressee Bodies
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.0 yr
Report published
08 Sep 2025