Dr Neil Hudson stood up in the House of Commons calling for rigorous biosecurity protections to shield farming from incoming animal diseases, crack down on illegal animal smugglers and give British consumers the peace of mind they are buying safe and healthy food.
These comments came during a debate on the Border Target Operating Model for food and biosecurity, brought forward by Dover MP, Natalie Elphicke to coincide with Back British Farming Day.
MPs joined together calling for prioritised checks on all foods coming in from the EU to make sure food is safe to eat and that farming is protected from incoming diseases. The Border Target Operating Model sets out a new approach to biosecurity checks being progressively introduced from the end of January 2024. You can read the most recent publication here.
Spot checks at Dover have already highlighted serious concerns. Such as the discovery of unrefrigerated raw animal projects; pork illegally smuggled from countries with African Swine Fever and maggot infested meat dripping on ‘ready-to-eat’ products.
Dr Hudson raised the importance of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Weybridge HQ which he has campaigned to boost DEFRA investment in consistently over recent months. This is the UK’s main line of defence from animal disease outbreaks and requires major development. Read more about the issue and Dr Hudson’s recent visit here.
Dr Hudson then secured confirmation from Mark Spencer, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries that the Border Target Operating Model will help detect the illicit movement of animals in and out of the country. A passionate animal welfare advocate, Dr Hudson referred to the phenomena of dog smuggling to meet the demand for puppies and the illegal export of horses to Europe for slaughter. View the last session, here.
The only vet in the Commons, Dr Hudson triggered an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into such abuses following a dramatic shift in pet ownership following the pandemic.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson said:
“I welcome Government moves to implement thorough checks on foods, animals and plant products being brought into the UK from overseas.
“Given the growing rates of Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever and other infectious animal diseases across Europe we must act to protect farmers’ livelihoods, crack down on illegal animal smugglers and keep consumers safe from flawed imports.
“I've been on the frontline tragically having to supervise the culling of animals when the UK's biosecurity was compromised with Foot and Mouth Disease so we must prioritise checks for food, animals, and plant products coming in from overseas or face the consequences. I will always highlight just how important biosecurity is for our country and I look forward to further investment in the APHA to keep us all safer.”
