Published in News
Trucks Skipping UK Border Checks Raise Disease Fears
UK MPs warn that some trucks carrying meat, dairy, and plant products are avoiding border inspections, increasing the risk of dangerous diseases entering the country.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
MPs Warn About Weak Border Controls
Members of the UK Parliament say there are serious problems with the system that checks imported food and plant products.
A parliamentary committee has warned that trucks entering the UK may be avoiding required inspections. This could allow animal and plant diseases to enter the country and damage farms and agriculture.
The warning comes from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which reviews the work of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
According to the committee, the current system is not working properly and could create a major risk for UK livestock and crops.
How the Current Border System Works
After Brexit, the UK changed how it checks many food and plant imports from Europe.
Instead of being inspected directly at the Port of Dover, many commercial vehicles must travel to a special border control post located in Sevington, about 35 km (22 miles) away.
At this facility, officials inspect goods such as:
Meat products
Dairy items
Plants and plant materials
These inspections are meant to prevent diseases and unsafe goods from entering the UK.
The Problem: Trucks Not Showing Up
Data from Defra shows that some trucks flagged for inspection never arrive at the Sevington facility.
This practice is sometimes called a “drive-by.” It means a vehicle enters the country but does not go to the control point where checks should take place.
Recent data shows the problem is growing.
August 2025: about 8% of flagged shipments missed checks
November 2025: about 18% did not go to the inspection site
MPs say this increase shows that enforcement is too weak.
Diseases That Could Enter the UK
Experts say unchecked imports could bring serious diseases affecting animals and plants.
Some examples mentioned by the committee include:
African swine fever – a deadly disease for pigs
Foot-and-mouth disease – highly contagious among livestock
Xylella bacteria – a harmful plant disease affecting crops and trees
If these diseases reach the UK, they could cause major damage to farms and food production.
Concerns About Illegal Imports
The committee also warned that criminal groups may be taking advantage of the weak system.
There are signs that some illegal meat products are being brought into the UK because checks are not strict enough.
These products might not even be allowed to be sold in parts of Europe due to safety rules.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael said the current system looks “dysfunctional” and warned that the situation could lead to serious consequences.
He said the government must ensure trucks actually go to the Sevington inspection site.
The committee believes stronger monitoring and enforcement are needed until the UK and the EU agree on a better long-term border system.
A Small Pilot Program Showed Promise
Defra previously tested a system that tracked plant shipments after they arrived at the port.
If a truck did not reach the inspection site within three hours, officials would follow up.
The trial helped reduce rule-breaking and improved tracking data.
However, MPs criticised the government for not continuing or expanding the program to cover meat and dairy shipments as well.
Why This Matters
Food safety checks are meant to protect farms, animals, and crops.
If trucks can enter the country without proper inspections, the UK faces a higher risk of disease outbreaks and illegal products entering the market.
MPs say fixing the border inspection system should be a priority before a major problem occurs.