The UK government has acknowledged a major flaw in its post-Brexit border regime where lorries carrying potentially unsafe meat imports are skipping mandatory checks. 18 per cent of consignments selected for inspection in November 2024 failed to appear at the Sevington border control post, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The £23 million Sevington facility, built in 2021 to handle post-Brexit border checks, now faces criticism as a "dysfunctional system." Food industry groups warned this system was vulnerable to abuse, and their concerns have proven valid. Inspectors claim follow-up checks occur, but cannot provide data on frequency or enforcement effectiveness.

With the government admitting data inconsistencies across authorities, enforcement remains compromised. The unresolved border control issues come as the UK attempts to reset relations with the EU, potentially rendering the £23 million facility redundant. The failure to properly screen meat imports creates significant biosecurity risks while highlighting the practical challenges of implementing post-Brexit trade systems without adequate infrastructure.