After a prolonged campaign by NFU Scotland and other stakeholders to strengthen Border controls, the union has welcomed the introduction of strong measures to protect pig farmers and the industry from the threat of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

Effective from September 27, personal imports of pork and pork products from the EEA (European Economic Area), the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Switzerland are prohibited unless these products meet EU commercial standards, are properly packaged, and weigh less than 2kg.

This development is a positive step forward, and NFU Scotland sees it as a foundation for further protective measures. The union highlights the importance of addressing the under-resourced introduction of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) for commercial meat imports.

Jamie Wyllie, NFUS Pigs committee chair (image: Paul Watt Photography)Jamie Wyllie, NFUS Pigs committee chair (image: Paul Watt Photography) The UK Government's record on introducing effective post-Brexit border controls to protect farmers and crofters from highly destructive plant and animal diseases has faced repeated criticism from NFUS. The union has challenged the government following multiple delays and false starts over the years, which have left farmers and crofters vulnerable to devastating diseases like ASF.

ASF is a highly contagious and deadly disease affecting pigs and wild boar, often transmitted through infected meat. With cases continuing to emerge across Europe, an outbreak in the UK could devastate the pig industry, valued at an estimated £8b.

NFU Scotland’s Pigs committee chair, Jamie Wyllie, stated: “These new measures are one step towards protecting the nation’s pig farmers from a disease that has the potential to wipeout the sector.

“On proper border controls, we are acutely aware that adequate government funding and resources are an issue, so we are looking to the UK Government to provide the guidance and enforcement necessary to back up this change.

“As an example, Scottish Government has provided detector dogs for use at Scottish ports of entry, following requests for support from the sector to help protect our borders. The dogs are proving their worth in uncovering significant amounts of unsanctioned meat products entering Scotland.

“However, the worrying reality is that current checks across the UK are only revealing the tip of the iceberg where illegal meat imports are concerned, and this welcome change must be properly resourced. Since personal import limits were first imposed in 2022, border inspectors have uncovered more than 100t of illegal meat imports. But budgets, rather than being bolstered, are under threat.”

Wyllie continued: “While this announcement is welcome, we are still pressing for proper implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary checks on commercial imports following the under-resourced implementation of the BTOM. The implementation of the BTOM is not working effectively or consistently.

“Investigations have revealed that commercial meat from ASF-restricted areas is clearly still coming in without the checks required. This meat will be making its way to our food chain, through food service or retail, and this flaw must be addressed.

“That is why we need border checks of commercial meat to come into force properly as soon as possible.”