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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has implemented stricter regulations on personal pork imports to enhance protections against the spread of African swine fever into the UK, safeguarding the country’s £8bn pig industry. Beginning on 27 September, individuals will be prohibited from importing pork and pork products from the European Economic Area (EEA), the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Switzerland unless they adhere to EU commercial standards and weigh under 2kg. These measures are aimed at preventing the introduction of African swine fever, which could have devastating impacts on the domestic pig farming sector and the £600m pork Export market. While the National Pig Association (NPA) had called for a total ban on personal pork imports, the new restrictions are seen as a positive step forward following lobbying efforts. The UK government is also investing £3.1m to assist Dover Port Health Authority in combating illegal meat imports. With the recent seizure of approximately 100 tonnes of illegal pork products, the threat of African swine fever remains a significant concern. Anyone found bringing pork into the UK illegally could face fines up to £5,000, with confiscated products being destroyed. Biosecurity minister Baroness Hayman emphasized the importance of these measures in protecting British pig farmers and preventing the spread of infected meat into the country.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.
