Deadly African swine fever that could cripple British farming is heading to the UK, a leaked government report warns

DEADLY African swine fever which could cripple British farming is heading to the UK, a leaked government report warns.

The secret document said the virus would “probably” appear within months.

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The virus is spread through infected, illegal pork products.

And the alert issued by the Cabinet Office’s COBR Unit comes after health officials at the ports warned in January that they were “barely scratching the surface” of the problem of illegal pigmeat imports into Dover.

They spoke of the “catastrophic consequences” that would result if African swine fever were to break out in the UK.

The disease does not pose a threat to humans, but kills most farm pigs that become infected with it.

Since September 2022, when controls were introduced, 60 tonnes of illegal pork have been confiscated.

Lucy Manzano, head of port health and public protection at Dover District Council, said: “If the fish ends up here it will result in UK culling programmes and export bans.

“This will have devastating consequences for our pig farmers, the feral pig community and our reputation.”

Pork is available in a variety of forms, including whole pigs, cutlets, sausages, heads, legs, tails, and skin.

She added that attempts to stop the phenomenon may have come too late.