The President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association David Black has shared his concerns with the BBC about the risk of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) returning to the UK, with illegal meat imports and gaps in biosecurity seen as key vulnerabilities.
He and other voices in the industry warn that the UK remains particularly exposed to FMD through contaminated meat entering the country via illegal or uncontrolled routes with not enough border checks to detect it and not enough veterinary resource to tackle outbreaks.
The virus can survive in meat products and be transmitted through waste or indirect contact, creating a significant and often underestimated pathway for infection. Of particular concern is the speed at which the disease can spread before symptoms become visible, meaning an outbreak could take hold before it is even detected.
We have written previously that this should act as a wake-up call for government. Stronger border controls, better resourcing for port health authorities, more robust enforcement action and, above all, a mandatory, real-time traceability system are urgently needed, alongside a more coordinated approach across agencies to protect the UK’s biosecurity and the integrity of the meat supply chain.
We are the UKs largest trade body for the meat industry and provide expert advice on trade issues, bespoke technical advice and access to government policy makers
We are proud to count businesses of all sizes and specialties as members. They range from small, family run abattoirs serving local customers to the largest meat processing companies responsible for supplying some of our best-loved brands to shops and supermarkets.
We are further strengthened by our associate Members who work in industries that support and supply our meat processing companies.
We are the voice of the British meat industry.
17 Clerkenwell Green
Clerkenwell, EC1 0DP
Tel: 020 7329 0776