“It is alarmingly clear that the Government’s approach to biosecurity at UK ports is dangerously inadequate and severely underfunded,” she said. “This illicit trade in banned meat and dairy products cannot be allowed to continue.

“The escalating situation should serve as an urgent wake-up call. With more than 300T of smuggled meat seized since September 2022, it is obvious that existing measures simply aren’t robust enough.”

Ms Lockhart continued: “The 19^th February marked 25 years since the UK suffered the harrowing impact of Foot and Mouth Disease. The disease spread rapidly, affecting over 2,000 farms and resulting in the loss of more than six million cattle and sheep. The outbreak cost an estimated £8 billion pounds.

“The painful and devastating lessons of 2001 should serve as a constant reminder of the vulnerability of our agricultural sector. We certainly don’t want to relive the upsetting scenes, showing millions of animals burning on huge pyres across the countryside.”

The DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson has raised this issue with Labour Ministers numerous times, both in writing and during debates in the House of Commons. Despite reassurances that DEFRA is fully committed to protecting the agri-food industry, it is abundantly clear that tighter biosecurity measures are long overdue.

Carla Lockhart MP added: “Last month’s record seizure of illegal meat represents a sharp increase, surpassing the previous 20T high detected in September 2025. There are also reports that 300kgs of pork, wrapped in foil and hidden in suitcases, was confiscated recently at Harwich Port in Essex. In mid-January last year, 600kgs of meat was seized when a vehicle disembarked the Stranraer to Larne ferry.

“The threat posed by the UK’s porous borders is not theoretical - it is very real!

“Personal and criminal imports of undeclared and, potentially infected meat and animal products, are a huge risk to our livestock population, especially from diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease. These diseases are present in regions throughout Europe, and it would be catastrophic if they reached UK shores.”

The MP continued: “Once again, I am calling on ministers to urgently strengthen biosecurity. Effective biosecurity starts at our borders. The UK is under threat from an unrestricted flow of illegal meat – products such a beef, pork, pate and salami - smuggled in luggage or concealed in commercial cargo. Even a meat-filled sandwich is deemed to be a risk.



She added: “There is no greater priority than protecting our farmers, securing our food supply and safeguarding the health of our livestock. Anything less is irresponsible, and leaves the UK extremely vulnerable to preventable but devastating disease outbreaks.

“The government claims additional funding, tightened controls and increased checks have led to the seizure of more meat than ever before. This has led to concerns from industry stakeholders, with many questioning “what exactly” has been implemented.

“There is no doubt that the illegal trafficking of meat and other food products is severely undermining GB and Northern Ireland, said Ms Lockhart. “A disease incursion could rapidly destroy rural communities, and I don’t think the government fully appreciates the severity of the situation or realises what’s at stake.”

Concluding, the MP added: “The government has had numerous opportunities to introduce effective deterrents and double-down on the criminal gangs responsible for these illicit shipments from central and eastern Europe.”

“Those responsible are also putting human health at risk of bacteria, viruses and parasites, as the consignments are not refrigerated and transported in unsanitary conditions.”

 “DEFRA must get grip of this hugely concerning and embarrassing situation, before it unfolds into a deeply damaging crisis. “