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Import of illegal meat

EDM (Early Day Motion) 2644: tabled on 20 January 2026

Tabled in the 2024-26 session.

This motion has been signed by 27 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.

Motion text

That this House recognises lack of adequate action on the importation of illegal meat coming in to the UK via ports like Dover; notes that Dover Port Health has now removed over 300 tonnes of illegal meat; further notes that this has been a recognised issue for over two decades with a National Audit Office report as far back as 2005; acknowledges that there remains inadequate action in the prevention of illegal imports; also notes that there is a lack of power for authorities to punish those that smuggle illegal meats; further recognises that there is evidence this could contribute to a rise in antimicrobial resistance and that unregulated meats entering the country put the UK at risk of catastrophic disease outbreaks like foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever; and believes that the Government should take biosecurity seriously to prevent the next notifiable disease outbreak.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

Gilmour, Rachel
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
Tiverton and Minehead
Roome, Ian
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
North Devon
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on 21 January 2026
Strangford
Chamberlain, Wendy
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
North East Fife
Forster, Mr Will
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
Woking
MacDonald, Mr Angus
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Pinkerton, Dr Al
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
Surrey Heath
Morgan, Helen
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 January 2026
North Shropshire
Jarvis, Liz
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 22 January 2026
Eastleigh
Brown-Fuller, Jess
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 22 January 2026
Chichester
Dance, Adam
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 22 January 2026
Yeovil
Chowns, Dr Ellie
Green Party
Signed on 22 January 2026
North Herefordshire
Maguire, Helen
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 26 January 2026
Epsom and Ewell
Dillon, Mr Lee
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 28 January 2026
Newbury
Franklin, Zöe
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 28 January 2026
Guildford
van Mierlo, Freddie
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 28 January 2026
Henley and Thame
Ramsay, Adrian
Green Party
Signed on 28 January 2026
Waveney Valley
Jones, Clive
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 28 January 2026
Wokingham
Dyke, Sarah
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 29 January 2026
Glastonbury and Somerton
McMurdock, James
Independent
Signed on 2 February 2026
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Jardine, Christine
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 3 February 2026
Edinburgh West

There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.