6 May 2025 - Biosecurity and animal welfare - Oral evidence

The EFRA Committee holds the final evidence session of its biosecurity at the border focus, as part of its animal and plant health inquiry, at 2.30pm on Tuesday 6 May. 

MPs will question the Baroness Hayman of Ullock, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on topics including the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Europe, contingency planning and the enforcement of the recently imposed ban on personal imports of meat and dairy from the EU. 

The session will cover the adequacy and stringency of biosecurity controls at the UK’s borders and the Department’s current approach to tackling illegal imports of animal products. MPs will pose specific questions about the border controls at the Port of Dover and the adequacy of the funding settlement for Dover Port Health Authority to continue its anti-meat smuggling operations.  

The Committee will also question the Minister on progress with the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), and will raise questions about reports of limitations in the availability and quality of data on inspections at border control posts. 

The Committee will also ask the Biosecurity Minister about the upcoming implementation in July of new checks on fruit and vegetables from the EU. 

Witnesses on 6 May 

• The Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
• Spencer Draper, Head of Borders Delivery, Northern Ireland, Biosecurity and Trade Programme, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 
• Gareth Baynham-Hughes, Director of Animal Plant Health and Welfare, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs