British farming is under threat from deadly African swine fever which is heading to the UK, a leaked government report has warned.
The virus is being spread through infected illegal pork products and kills most pigs that catch it, despite posing no threat to humans.
The government document revealed it is ‘probable’ that the virus will reach the UK within months, according to a report by The Sun.
The warning comes after port health officials warned at the start of this year that they are ‘barely scratching the surface’ of illegal pork meat coming to Dover.
Sixty tonnes of illegal pork meat have been seized since September 2022, it is understood, when checks were first introduced.
African swine fever is being spread through infected illegal pork products and kills most pigs that catch it, despite posing no threat to humans (File image)
The warning comes after port health officials warned at the start of this year that they are ‘barely scratching the surface’ of illegal pork meat coming to Dover (File image)
Head of port health and public protection at District Council, Lucy Manzano, said: ‘If it lands here it will result in UK culling programmes and export bans.
‘It will absolutely have devastating consequences for our pig farms, wild pig community and reputation.’
A UK government spokesperson said: ‘African swine fever is a disease that affects pigs and not humans.
‘Preventing an outbreak in the UK remains one of our key biosecurity priorities and we have published extensive information and guidance about the disease.
‘We work closely with Port Health Authorities and Border Force to ensure our strict border controls are enforced.’
