Commenting on reports that the Prime Minister has indicated that post-Brexit checks on food imports from the EU to Great Britain are to be delayed for a fourth time, the British Veterinary Association has reiterated a stark warning over disease threats.

UK agriculture is highly exposed to serious diseases imported from Europe, including African swine fever (ASF), because of a failure to get new border control posts (BCPs) operational before July 2022, a senior vet has warned.

‘This flies in the face of common sense and the government’s commitment to high levels of animal and human health,’ say experts.

Sharp fall in qualified professionals needed to sign off health certificates for products going to EU.

‘Deeply misguided’ to ‘weaken this layer of protection for both animal and public health’, government told.

Workers describe ‘unprecedented’ situation as calls to confidential staff helpline hit record numbers.