Farmers have 'little confidence' in Gov's ability to keep animal diseases at bay

With foot-and-mouth disease cases confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia over recent months, Defra has been urged to decisively strengthen the UK's border security

Chris Brayford
clock • 7 min read
"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."
Image:

"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."

Border security Red meat producers have urged the Government to do all in its power to improve border security controls in the UK following the detection of foot-and-mouth and African swine fever in...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Spring Statement 2026: What can farmers expect and what do farmers need?

Spring Statement 2026: What can farmers expect and what do farmers need?

Tax experts look ahead to the Spring Statement and some of the key farming policy details which Chancellor Rachel Reeves should consider, including a reversal of IHT changes

Chris Brayford
clock 27 February 2026 • 5 min read
Food production needs to hard-wired back into ag policy, Efra Committee Chair says

Food production needs to hard-wired back into ag policy, Efra Committee Chair says

Is there enough emphasis placed on food production's role in supporting not only nature restoration, but flood management, climate change mitigation and food security?

Chris Brayford
clock 27 February 2026 • 3 min read
NFU Conference 2026: Decline in food production must end now

NFU Conference 2026: Decline in food production must end now

Can the Government put its money where its mouth is and deliver its manifesto commitment for at least half of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally sourced?

Chris Brayford
clock 26 February 2026 • 2 min read