Dogs are being deployed for the first time in the fight against illegal meat imports.

Two Labradors have finished intensive training with the Metropolitan Police and will now be stationed at Heathrow Airport.

Personal import allowance

1kg cooked meat in sealed container 1kg fish 1kg milk powder

It is thought the probable cause of last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak, which cost the UK billions of pounds, was imported meat or meat products.

Detector dogs are part of the government's strategy to reduce the risk of such animal diseases getting into the country in future.

One-year-old brothers Samos and Heskey have completed their training at the Met Police Dog Training Centre in Keston, Kent.

The pair are part of a pilot study which, if successful, could result in more detector dogs for illegal meat imports.

Awareness

If the dogs find a smuggled item, they are trained to wait next to the piece of luggage it is in for their handlers to remove the illegal product and give them a treat.

Each dog team cost approximately �30,000 to train and equip for service.

The handlers, employed by the State Veterinary Service, which is part of Defra, spend two hours every day caring for and exercising their dogs.

But they are not allowed to keep them at their homes.

Earlier this month the government launched its Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For campaign to increase public awareness of the dangers of illegal imports through ports and airports.