Illegal meat on most UK High Streets, official says
Published On Feb 4, 2025, 1:33 PM
There are growing concerns in the UK regarding illegal meat potentially entering the market due to inadequate post-Brexit border checks. A senior health official from the Dover Port Health Authority criticized the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), claiming the government is overstating the effectiveness of the current biosecurity measures. Illegal meat is now widely available on UK high streets, raising fears about public health and animal disease outbreaks. Defra insists that the border checks are functioning properly despite evidence suggesting otherwise, leading to an ongoing inquiry into the situation. The funding for spot checks at the border is set to expire soon, which could exacerbate the issue unless additional government support is provided.
Stock Forecasts
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Negative
The ongoing issues with illegal meat entering the UK market and the questioned efficacy of the border checks could lead to increased scrutiny and potential regulatory actions affecting food companies. If incidents of disease outbreaks occur, this could further strain the sector and impact related stocks negatively.