Dover: Fears over African swine fever from illegal meat

African swine fever could be brought into the UK in illegal pork meat, officials fear.

Port health officials believe they are “barely scratching the surface” of illegal pork meat entering at Dover.

African swine fever is currently spreading through Europe and could have “devastating consequences” if it came to the UK.

Since September 2022, when checks were introduced, 60 tonnes of illegal pork has been seized.

Lucy Manzano, head of port health and public protection at Dover District Council, said: “If it lands here it will result in UK culling programmes, export bans and will absolutely have devastating consequences for our pig farmers, wild pig community and reputation.”

Pork arrives in various forms including whole pigs, chops, sausages, heads, feet, tails, and skin, Ms Manzano said.

Considering the number of vehicles each day “this is the tip of the iceberg and these controls need to be bolstered and not reduced,” she said.