3rd report - Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis

Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee HC 1296 8 September 2025
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 25 items (15 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 25 of 25 classified)
Accepted 3
Accepted in Part 11
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 1
Rejected 4
Clear

Recommendations

1 results
21 Accepted
Require Government to lead effective mutual restoration of Defra and DPHA relationship.
Recommendation
This Government must lead an effective, mutual restoration of that relationship, which is of strategic importance to the UK’s security and trade. (Recommendation, Paragraph 60)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to restoring its relationship with DPHA. They have held frequent official meetings, a Minister's visit is planned, and £3.1m in agreed funding for 2025/26 operations is being transferred.
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Defra’s ban on personal imports of most animal products from the EU, introduced in April 2025, is a welcome simplification and strengthening of the rules. However, there is not yet enough public awareness of the restrictions or the reasons for them. (Conclusion, Paragraph 28)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees with the observation on public awareness, detailing existing and ongoing communication efforts including targeted campaigns and reminder communications. They note their attitude tracker results showing high awareness and have no plans for new legislation or digital tools.
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Under the previous Government, there was an unacceptable breakdown of trust, communication and cooperation in the relationship between Defra and Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) to the detriment of national biosecurity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 60)
Government Response Summary
The Government accepts the recommendation and is committed to restoring the relationship with DPHA. Defra Directors met with DPHA officials in July 2025 and have continued to engage since. Defra is in the process of transferring the agreed £3.1m to DPHA to fund operations alongside Border Force for the financial year 2025/26.
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