Criminal Gangs Are Smuggling ‘Illegal Meat’ Into The UK

Criminal gangs are smuggling large quantities of illegal and diseased meat into the UK to sell to fast food restaurants, pubs, and unscrupulous manufacturers. They are using coaches and vans registered in England to bypass border checks at the Port of Dover, taking advantage of the government's decision to end physical checks of imported meat at the port. This has raised concerns about the introduction of African Swine Fever (ASF) to the UK, a highly contagious disease in farmed and wild pigs that can survive for long periods in pig meat and in the environment.

Border officials have seized 90 tonnes of illegal pork since September 2022, with more than 5,000kg confiscated in February alone. However, authorities believe this is only a fraction of the illegal meat that is making its way into the country. The spread of ASF poses a significant risk to the UK's pig industry, and precautions are being taken to prevent the disease from reaching British shores.