After the COVID-19 Pandemic, we know better than ever that biosecurity affects us all. Future diseases could come from anywhere, threatening human health, food security, and the industries that underpin our economy.
Farmers and horticulturalists are on the frontlines of today’s biosecurity threats. Together, these sectors support over a million jobs, contribute billions to the economy, and put food on our tables. Yet, with a changing climate intensifying the risk of disease to livestock, crops, and plants, these sectors are increasingly vulnerable.
We must do more to improve biosecurity here in the UK and support those who are most affected. That’s why I led a debate in Parliament this week urging Ministers to act decisively, taking action to strengthen our borders, work with insurers, and provide the resources and partnerships needed to enhance the UK’s resilience to diseases.
Biosecurity begins at our borders. I am encouraged that our Labour Government has taken decisive action, imposing restrictions on personal pork imports from high-risk areas to protect us from the spread of African Swine Fever currently sweeping across Europe. This follows a £3.1 million investment in the Dover Port Health Authority in September. African Swine Fever poses a significant threat to the UK’s pig industry, worth £8 billion annually, with potential losses estimated at as much as £100 million if it breaches our borders.
Similarly, Xylella – a devastating plant disease – is a growing concern of being introduced via infected plants. Stricter import controls of plants could prevent this pathogen from taking hold, which is why the Horticultural Trades Association has called for an urgent summit on border policy, but this can only be part of the solution.
Recent outbreaks highlight the importance of preparedness and building resilience. The Avian Influenza crisis of 2022-23 devastated the poultry industry, while this summer’s Bluetongue outbreak in South Norfolk showed that we must be ready. Diseases like Avian Influenza and Virus Yellows, which affect our poultry and sugar beet industries, are both brought to us not through our ports but by migrating host animals. I was impressed by the swift response of the Animal and Plant Health Agency to the Bluetongue outbreak in Norfolk, but as our climate continues to change, we must ensure that they have the resources to respond quickly and effectively.
The NFU estimates that future outbreaks of virus yellows could reduce our sugar beet-growing land by 25%, while poultry producers affected by Avian Influenza could be forced out of the industry entirely without proper support. That’s why I was so concerned to hear from many poultry producers about their terrible treatment by insurance providers as they either refuse coverage or impose extortionate premiums. By taking away that vital safety net, we face a potential crisis where poultry producers do not have the financial means or support to recover from outbreaks, leaving their livelihoods at risk.
I’m pleased the Government shares my concerns about these practices by the insurance industry and is now looking into the matter. Our farmers should not be left bearing the brunt of these biosecurity challenges alone, and I will work closely with Ministers to get the best deal for our poultry producers.
Ultimately, addressing biosecurity effectively requires the right resources and strong partnerships necessary to respond to threats. Here the Labour Government has already taken great strides with its £208 million investment to transform our biosecurity facilities, as outlined in the Budget. DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner also emphasised the importance of partnerships with our European neighbours to tackle biosecurity and related challenges. Moving forward, we must build on these efforts, ensuring that border security at our ports is fully resourced, the Animal Plant and Health Agency and other agencies are equipped to act swiftly, and that farmers and horticulturalists have the tools and support they need to withstand and recover from outbreaks.
Our agriculture and horticulture sectors are essential to our rural economy and play a critical role in the wider prosperity and food security of the entire country. We must learn the lessons from past crises like COVID-19 and foot-and-mouth disease, prioritising biosecurity to build a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future for our farmers, horticulturalists, and all those who depend on them.
This Labour Government has shown its deep commitment to strengthening our country’s biosecurity, and I will continue to work with Ministers, industry leaders, and communities across the UK to face the challenges ahead and build our biosecurity resilience for the future.
The Frontline of Biosecurity: Protecting Our Agriculture and Horticulture Sectors from Future Threats
