NFU Scotland has called on the government to ‘step up to the plate immediately’ to address border control failings.
Vice president Andrew Connon has warned that ‘lax and ineffective’ border controls on both legal and illegal imports, are leaving farmers and crofters exposed to ‘hugely destructive’ diseases such as African Swine Fever.
His comments follow the move by the Livestock Chain Advisory Group (LCAG), of which NFUS is a member, to write to Defra Secretary Steve Reed expressing concerns about border control failings regarding the import of both legal and illegal products.
It also comes after the Sun newspaper reported that a leaked ‘secret’ document from the Cabinet Office’s COBR unit warns that it is ‘probable’ the virus will be here within months.
With much of the focus on the situation at Dover, the article includes a warning from Lucy Manzano, head of port health and public protection at Dover District Council, about the ‘devastating consequences’ if ASF reaches the UK.
“If it lands here it will result in UK culling programmes and export bans. It will absolutely have devastating consequences for our pig farmers, wild pig community and reputation,” she said.
Woeful record
Commenting on the situation, Mr Connon said: “As a member of LCAG) we welcome the letter written to Defra to express the industry’s serious concerns over the current state of border controls, with regards to both legal and illegal products of animal origin (POAO).
“Months on from the introduction of the flawed and under-resourced Border Target Operating Model, the UK Government’s record on introducing effective post-Brexit border controls that protect farmers and crofters from highly damaging plant and animal diseases continues to be woeful.
“As a result of lax and ineffective border controls on both legal and illegal imports, farmers and crofters remain exposed to hugely destructive diseases such as ASF, a virus with a growing presence in parts of Europe that has the potential to wipe out the Scottish pig industry.
“The second phase of the UK Government’s Border Target Operating Model commenced in April and since then, physical and identity checks were meant to apply to medium and high-risk animal products, plants and plant products entering the UK from the EU on a risk-based approach.
“It is crystal clear that, on both legal and illegal imports, the system continues to fail and scant regard is being paid to the level of checks required, leaving our producers exposed to unacceptable levels of risk.
“The new Government must step up to the plate immediately to address border control failings and deliver an acceptable level of implementation and inspection.
“It must make safeguarding the nation’s food safety a priority and give the health of our plants and animals the protection needed.
“As well as ensuring border checks on legitimate imports from the EU, through control points, are appropriate, additional resource to target illegal imports through other ports must be found.”