NFU president Ben Gill and food standards chairman Michael Seals gave evidence to the environment, food and rural affairs parliamentary select committee last week. They urged government to implement effective measures swiftly and introduce a new level of co-ordination between the various issues involved: port health authorities, Customs & Excise and local authorities. The union has also expressed its concern about a lack of focus on personal imports and believes there should be no personal travellers' allowances on food and agricultural produce with the exception of infant formula items deemed medically essential.

The NFU launched a poster campaign against illegal plant and food imports last year.

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