3rd report - Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 1296
8 September 2025
Recommendations
4 results
7
Rejected
Consult on and introduce a permanent, straightforward personal import policy for EU products.
Recommendation
Defra must consult on a permanent personal import policy for the EU by April 2026. It should prioritise safeguarding British farms and should be straightforward enough to be understood by travellers and to be enforced. The current temporary ban on …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to consult on a permanent personal import policy for the EU, stating they have no current plans to do so due to the deferral of personal import rules until 2027 and the implications of the SPS Agreement.
12
Rejected
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 Responsibility is so fragmented across agencies that outdated, inefficient ways of working have been allowed to persist and the scale of the crisis has been …
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Government Response Summary
The Government does not accept the recommendation to establish a bespoke taskforce, believing adequate oversight can be achieved through existing routes.
13
Rejected
Establish a taskforce for illegal imports of animal products, led by the Minister for Biosecurity.
Recommendation
A taskforce for illegal imports of animal products should be established by November 2025, led by the Minister for Biosecurity, to provide oversight of the strategy’s design and implementation and to drive improvements. The taskforce should at least include the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects establishing a taskforce for illegal imports, deeming it disproportionate in the immediate short term. They intend to focus on a revised strategic approach for the Short Straits with existing partners and may revisit the recommendation later.
19
Rejected
Require Defra to implement a plan for fining and prosecuting repeat animal product smugglers.
Recommendation
Defra must deliver a plan to immediately start fining and prosecuting repeat offenders and those who are attempting to smuggle significant amounts of animal products. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46) The Port of Dover
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a Defra-led plan to fine and prosecute offenders, stating that enforcement powers do not sit with Defra. They encourage enforcement authorities to use existing sanctions and will work with relevant agencies to consider options to enhance enforcement at the Short Straits.