Record seizures of illegal meat at Port of Dover

Record levels of illegally imported meat were discovered at the Kent border in January.

Nearly 34 tonnes of the imported products were uncovered at the Port of Dover - the highest ever monthly total.

Alastair Carmichael MP, Chair of The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA), said the consequences for not tackling the issue "could be dire" following recent outbreaks of African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease in continental Europe.

The government said it had increased checks, tightened controls and was seizing "significantly more meat at the border than ever before".

But there is concern among members of the farming community.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) in Kent has decided to write a letter to the Environment Secretary to ask "exactly what" has been implemented.

Hugh Richards who sits on the livestock board said "improving facilities at Dover and making it fit for purpose" should be the priority.

Richards added "it would be a fraction of what it would cost" compared to "if we get a foot and mouth incursion or swine flu".

In September, a report by MPs highlighted "enforcement weaknesses at the border" had created a "super highway" of illegal meat into England.

Dover District Council Leader Kevin Mills called for "increased staffing" at the port and a number of recommendations from the report to be taken on board by the Government.

The amount of illicit animal products uncovered by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) increased from 13 tonnes between January and April 2023 to 70 tonnes for the same period in 2025.

The previous monthly record was 20 tonnes last September.

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the Government was "fully committed" to protecting biosecurity and the farming industry.

It said it had "secured £3.1m for Dover Port Health Authority this year alone", and that the "strengthened measures" were working.

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