Archive - Thursday, 4 April 2002


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DEFRA is to tackle smuggling

A SERIES of measures were announced last week by DEFRA aimed at halting the flow into Britain of smuggled meat and other food products.

The aim is to reduce the risk of exotic animal and plant disease entering the country and threatening public health, and livestock, agriculture and horticulture industries.

The actions include:

A full risk assessment of the disease threat posed by illegal meat imports

More co-operation between agencies to strengthen enforcement

Strengthened intelligence to counter smuggling

Increased powers to search for illicit produce

Liaison with Europe to reform rules on personal imports

Increased public awareness through more publicity.

There is also to be a trial this summer of detector dogs and the use of x-ray machines to scan containers.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, April 04, 2002