Information on the number and weight of illegal meat seizures at GB points of entry are as follows:
Financial year Number of seizures Total weight (kg) 2005-06 14,698 82,110 2006-07 19,222 73,012 2007-08 14,067 77,230
Anti-smuggling controls on illegal imports of products of animal origin are designed to prevent the introduction of animal disease so the value of goods seized is not relevant in this context and therefore is not recorded.
Customs continue to target the animal products and routes that pose the greatest animal disease risk, taking account of the latest veterinary risk assessments. The increase in seizures in 2006-07 can be attributed to the additional resources deployed to tackle the threat from Avian Influenza during that period. More recently there are also some indications of increased compliance among the travelling public following HMRC’s awareness-raising campaigns.