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Written question asked by Harriet Cross (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Stephen Morgan (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Wild Boar: African Swine Fever

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the recent outbreak of African Swine Fever in wild boar in Spain, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Spanish pork imports from outside the restricted containment zones do not carry the virus into the UK; and what measures are in place to intercept and penalise import vehicles that bypass mandatory veterinary and biosecurity checks at inland Border Control Posts.

Answer

Commercial imports of pork and pork products from Spain into Great Britain must be accompanied by health certification signed by an official veterinarian, attesting compliance with animal health requirements to mitigate the risk of spread of African swine fever.

Importers must make customs declarations and pre-notify arrival to an approved Border Control Post (BCP). Customs holds are in place until the goods have passed BCP checks. Consignments bypassing checks are followed up by the relevant competent authorities.

Border Force carries out customs checks at ports and airports aimed at intercepting non-compliant goods.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8287
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Disease control Import controls Spain African swine fever Wild boar
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk