EFRA committee held the second evidence session of its animal and plant health inquiry today.

The EFRA committee held the second evidence session of its animal and plant health inquiry today.

Lizzie Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at National Pig Association, advised the panel that the introduction of African Swine Fever (ASF) is of primary concern to the pig sector, with potential to cause irrevocable damage.

Highlighting that the risk of incursion via human mediated routes was very high, explaining to the committee that ASF was able to jump 400km across the Baltic Sea from Latvia and Poland to Sweden in September 2023. 

The fact that we are an island surrounded by sea doesn’t make us any less at risk from such a notifiable disease.

The panel also heard how Dover Port Health Authority have now seized over 200 tonnes of illegal POAO.

In the first two months alone this year, we have removed over a staggering 40 tonnes!

Dr Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer for DEFRA explained to the committee that ‘Port Health Authorities are our eyes, ears and checkers, they are the competent authority at the border’.

DPHA remain fully committed to keeping illegal food out at the border, and ensuring that deliverable and effective controls are in place at the right place to deliver GB biosecurity, public and animal health protections.

To watch the most recent evidence session, please click here: https://lnkd.in/g-jZmViz

DPHA protecting the border at the border!

#DPHA #DoverBCP #Illegalmeat #Footandmouthdisease #Africanswinefever #PPR #PortofDover #POAO #foodindustry #biosecurity #BTOM #tipoftheiceberg #EFRA