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

Promotion for Labour MP in rural and farming research group

Promotion for Labour MP in rural and farming research group

Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis said she is determined to give a greater voice to farmers after being promoted to the Labour Rural Research group's executive leadership team

Chris Brayford
clock 18 January 2026 • 2 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Lynette Steel: "Tenant farmers are at risk of losing land to development, particularly large-scale solar projects"

EXCLUSIVE - Lynette Steel: "Tenant farmers are at risk of losing land to development, particularly large-scale solar projects"

TFA farm policy adviser Lynette Steel writes on what must change for tenant farmers in 2026 and why the industry needs commitments to ensure businesses are adequately paid for the high standard of goods that they produce

Lynette Steel
clock 16 January 2026 • 2 min read
IHT critic Robert Jenrick dismissed from Tories after plotting to defect to Reform

IHT critic Robert Jenrick dismissed from Tories after plotting to defect to Reform

Newark MP Robert Jenrick has been sent his marching orders by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch after evidence came to light that he was about to defect to Nigel Farage and Reform

Chris Brayford
clock 15 January 2026 • 4 min read