The National Pig Association (NPA) has today (Friday, October 13) called for the UK government to implement a number of steps to prevent and prepare for an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).

The trade association for UK pig farmers said the sector is concerned by the "constant delays in implementing proper border checks" on EU meat imports.

The NPA also said it is concerned at a lack of preparedness in the event that ASF does reach the UK pig herd.

In a briefing to MPs, the NPA said it has called for:

No further delays on checks for goods entering the UK from the EU;
Improved and increased border controls for meat imports (sniffer dogs etc. at ports/airports/Eurotunnel and postal hubs);
Better communications, including messaging at points of entry, to emphasise the risks of bringing in meat products;
A review of APHA resource and available expertise to ensure it has the capability to respond quickly and effectively to notifiable disease outbreaks;
A plan for regionalisation with trading partners to ensure that unaffected parts of the UK could still export pork in the event of an outbreak.

"ASF continues to spread in Europe with the last few months seeing the arrival of the virus for the first time in Sweden and cases in domestic pigs for the first time in Northern Italy, while various countries in the Balkans have been battling major outbreaks," the NPA said.

"The British pig sector's concerns have been exacerbated by the constant delays in implementing proper border checks on EU meat imports, the latest of which has put the introduction of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) back from October until well into next year. 

"In a response to a letter from NPA chairman Rob Mutimer, Farming Minister Mark Spencer gave no intention of introducing new checks in the meantime."