African swine fever outbreak in Europe prompts UK pork import ban

The UK Government has announced new measures to better protect pig producers from a potential African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, as the disease continues to spread across Europe.

In June, Poland and Germany reported their first outbreaks of ASF in 2024, with an increase in cases in the Baltic states as well over the summer months.

The highly contagious and deadly disease affects pigs and wild boar and can be transmitted through infected meat but poses no risk to human health. The new safeguarding rules aim to protect UK livestock by preventing the disease from spreading to the UK.

To safeguard the UK’s pig farming industry, personal imports of pork and pork products from the EEA (European Economic Area), the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland will be banned starting tomorrow (27 September 2024), unless the products are manufactured and packaged to EU commercial standards and weigh less than 2kg.

Individuals found illegally importing pork or pork products may face fines of up to £5,000 in England. Any such products will be seized and destroyed upon arrival.

Several countries, including Australia, Japan, the EU, New Zealand and the US, already prohibit personal imports of pork and pork products.

In a statement released earlier today by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman stated: “African swine fever is a deadly disease wreaking havoc across Europe.

“These new measures will protect British pig farmers and pork products, preventing infected meat from entering the UK and threatening our biosecurity.”

Defra is also investing £3.1 million in the Dover Port Health Authority for 2024/25 to support Border Force in tackling illegal meat imports and keeping African swine fever out of Great Britain.

The cost of an outbreak

The UK has never experienced an outbreak of African swine fever and commercial meat imports are routinely inspected at the border to ensure infected goods do not enter the country.

However, a potential ASF outbreak could have severe consequences for the UK’s £8 billion pig industry and its annual pork and pork product exports, which are valued at £600 million. Estimates suggest that an outbreak could cost the UK between £10 million and £100 million.

Defra has stated that preventing an ASF outbreak remains one of its “key biosecurity priorities.”

It is continually reviewing personal meat and dairy import policies while working closely with devolved governments on contingency planning to prevent the spread of infected goods.