Ashford Port Health Authority detains potentially unsafe food consignments destined for the GB market on a daily basis, over 97% of which is imported from the EU.
Since November 2024, it has seized and destroyed 208,563.81 kilograms of unsafe food products at the border – the equivalent to the weight of about 35 elephants.
This includes 39 tonnes intercepted and removed from the supply chain since 20 March 2026 alone.
Ashford Port Health Authority says the figures highlight both the scale of activity at the UK border alongside its “critical” role in protecting consumers and safeguarding the UK against serious biosecurity risks.
It adds that all costs associated with the seizure and destruction of these confiscated goods are fully recovered from the importers responsible – so there is no cost to the UK taxpayer.
The products seized do not represent minor issues or paperwork errors, but pose a genuine risk.
Products can be detained for a variety of reasons, including infectious disease, contaminants such pesticides, heavy metals, along with other carcinogens. Produce can also be deemed unfit due to unsanitary conditions the products were transported in or inadequate/no temperature control.
Thousands of EU consignments detained
In some cases, if not intercepted, such goods could also bring diseases into the UK that have the potential to devastate agriculture, livestock and the economy.
Since Ashford Port Health Authority began imported food checks on 30 April 2024, thousands of consignments have been detained due to risk of infectious disease from the EU.
During this time Ashford Port Health Authority have detained goods at risk of lumpy skin disease from Italy and France, sheep and goat pox in Romania, Peste des petitis ruminants (PPR) from Hungary and Bulgaria. Food produce at risk of carrying African Swine Fever (ASF) from Germany, Hungary, Romania.
Of most concern is the large number of consignments detained at Sevington Border Control Post from areas of the EU, such as Germany, Hungary and most recently Cyprus, which are experiencing food and mouth disease outbreaks.
The 2001 foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak severely impacted the UK economy, costing an estimated £8 million. The crisis resulted in over 6 million animals being culled.
“Every one of these consignments represents food that could have ended up on someone’s plate. Our role is to make sure that doesn’t happen,” commented Anthony Baldock, corporate director of health and wellbeing at the Ashford Port Health Authority.
“These figures show the scale of what we are dealing with on a daily basis, but they are only one part of the picture. Our work, and that of the wider Port Health Authorities, is also about protecting the UK from wider risks, including the potential spread of serious diseases.”
Using AI to help improve border checks
To support its frontline work in checking the safety and compliance of imported goods, Ashford Port Health Authority has invested in new technology. This includes fully automating the initial stage of import checks with the use of AI.
This new system helps to quickly process large volumes of paperwork, allowing officers to focus their expertise where risk is highest.
“We are continuing to strengthen our approach, combining experienced officers with new technology to ensure we remain effective as volumes and complexity increase,” added Baldock.
