That is why I am launching a full consultation exercise today. Thirdly, we know that somehow infection has entered this country. One possible way is through illegal commercial imports of meat, where contents have not been declared. There is clearly an issue here about carrier liability to which the government will be giving careful thought. Another possibility is that infected produce might have come in as a personal import.
Rules already exist to control such imports.
The rules must be enforced effectively. I am co-ordinating action across government to ensure this happens. Lastly, once we are beyond the current difficulties, my department will be looking at a range of other issues surrounding the operation of the livestock sector to see if more may be done to minimise disease risks still further. In all these matters I will be acting in close consultation with the devolved administrations. I believe that our policy of containment of the disease is the right one, and that the massive logistical exercise required to implement it is being reinforced.