Early day motion · EDM 2644 · 20 Jan 2026

Import of illegal meat

Tabled by Dr Danny Chambers (Liberal Democrat) 27 signatures

The motion

That this House recognises lack of adequate action on the importation of illegal meat coming in to the UK via ports like Dover; notes that Dover Port Health has now removed over 300 tonnes of illegal meat; further notes that this has been a recognised issue for over two decades with a National Audit Office report as far back as 2005; acknowledges that there remains inadequate action in the prevention of illegal imports; also notes that there is a lack of power for authorities to punish those that smuggle illegal meats; further recognises that there is evidence this could contribute to a rise in antimicrobial resistance and that unregulated meats entering the country put the UK at risk of catastrophic disease outbreaks like foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever; and believes that the Government should take biosecurity seriously to prevent the next notifiable disease outbreak.