Ashford Port Health

02/09/2026

A thought-provoking interview from Ashford Port Health's Director, Anthony Baldock, on ITV Meridian, discussing the proposed SPS alignment with the EU and the concerns this raises for those working on the front-line of border controls.

Port Health Authorities have invested significant time and expertise in developing systems that protect consumers, support bio-security, and ensure imported food meets the UK's high standards. Any changes to these arrangements must carefully consider the long-term implications for public health and the integrity of our border controls.

Catch up with the interview here: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/catch-up-watch-the-latest-edition-of-itv-news-meridian-east-from-tuesday-1st-september/wyt5lwy

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Goods

Smart Borders are Stronger Borders

[email protected]
01233 648340

Watch the latest from ITV News - Watch the latest ITV News Meridian East programme from Tuesday 1st September

27/08/2026

🍔 National Burger Day – 27 August 🍔

From the classic cheeseburger to gourmet creations stacked high with unique toppings, burgers remain one of the nation's favourite comfort foods.

National Burger Day is celebrated on 27 August 2026, recognising one of the world's most popular and versatile meals.

At Ashford Port Health, we know that every food product has a journey before it reaches your plate. Our teams work behind the scenes to help ensure imported food products entering the UK meet the required standards, supporting food safety and consumer confidence.

Whether you're a fan of a traditional beef burger, a chicken burger, or a plant-based alternative, today is a great opportunity to appreciate the food supply chain that helps bring ingredients from around the world to our tables.

🍔 What's your ultimate burger topping combination?

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

"A Smarter Border is a Stronger Border"

[email protected]
01233 648340

20/08/2026

🥓 National Bacon Lovers Day – 20 August 🥓

Whether it's part of a hearty breakfast, tucked into a sandwich, or adding flavour to your favourite dish, bacon remains one of the UK's most popular foods. National Bacon Lovers Day celebrates this much-loved staple and its place in kitchens around the world.

At Ashford Port Health, our work helps ensure that imported food products entering the UK meet the necessary standards to protect public health. While we don't inspect every rasher of bacon that reaches your plate, our teams play an important role in helping maintain confidence in the safety and traceability of food products arriving through our ports.

So today, whether you enjoy your bacon crispy or chewy, take a moment to appreciate the journey food takes from producer to plate.

🥓 What's your favourite bacon dish?

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

"A Smart Border is a Stronger Border "

[email protected]
01233 648340

25/07/2026

🍷🧀 National W**e & Cheese Day 2026 🧀🍷

Today we're celebrating one of the world's favourite pairings: w**e and cheese!

Whilst w**e imports do not fall under Ashford Port Health's sanitary and phytosanitary controls, many cheeses and other products of animal origin entering Great Britain do. Our teams help ensure that imported food products meet the necessary animal and public health requirements, protecting consumers while supporting the smooth flow of international trade.

From artisan cheeses to dairy products imported from around the world, effective border controls help maintain food safety, support businesses and protect animal health.

So whether you're enjoying a mature Cheddar with a Cabernet Sauvignon or a creamy Brie with a crisp Chardonnay, spare a thought for the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep international food trade moving safely and efficiently.

✅ Protecting public health
✅ Safeguarding animal health
✅ Supporting food security
✅ Facilitating trade

Smart Borders are Strong Borders.

🍷🧀 Cheers to great food, safe trade and a cheese board that's never too small! 🐘🍇🍷

Ashford Port Health - Your gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

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**eAndCheeseDay **eAndCheese

19/07/2026

🍦 Happy World Ice Cream Day! 🍦

Today is World Ice Cream day and here is our Senior Vet - Daniel Acalinei to tell us all about it.

Ice cream may be a summer favourite, but at Ashford Port Health it's also one of the many products of animal origin we inspect to help protect Great Britain's animal and public health.

We regularly receive imported ice cream consignments from both EU Member States and third countries. Before these products can enter Great Britain, they may be subject to documentary, identity and physical checks under the UK's official import control regime.

Our work includes verifying:

🍦Health Certificates and supporting documentation where applicable,

🍦Identity and physical checks, including product identification, labelling and traceability

🍦Cold chain and transport temperatures

🍦Compliance with UK sanitary import requirements

🍦Risk-based sampling and laboratory testing where required

This year, our work has included two different sampling programmes for imported ice cream:

🧪 National Monitoring Plan (NMP): Routine official sampling of imported ice cream for Salmonella as part of the UK's ongoing surveillance programme, helping to monitor compliance and protect public health.

🧪 Intensified Official Controls (IOC): Earlier this year, imported ice cream consignments from a Ukrainian establishment were subject to an active Intensified Official Controls (IOC) programme following a previous microbiological detection identified through another UK Border Control Post. As part of the IOC, consignments were sampled for Enterobacteriaceae and detained pending satisfactory laboratory results before a decision on release was made. Following a sequence of satisfactory laboratory results, the enhanced controls were reviewed in accordance with the IOC requirements.

In addition, official controls were adapted in response to Lumpy Skin Disease (L*D) outbreaks affecting parts of Europe, ensuring imported dairy products complied with the additional animal health safeguards introduced to protect Great Britain's livestock.

Together, these activities demonstrate how official controls combine routine surveillance, risk-based inspections and responsive disease control measures to protect both public and animal health while facilitating safe international trade.

Behind every consignment is a coordinated effort involving Official Veterinarians, Port Health Officers, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Food Standards Agency, UKHSA, import agents and logistics operators, all working together to facilitate safe trade while protecting consumers and Great Britain's biosecurity.

Wishing everyone a Happy World Ice Cream Day! 🍨

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

17/07/2026

16/07/2026

"A Smarter Border is a Stronger Border"

Importers using Ashford Port Health will benefit from an 8% reduction in SPS fees from 1 August, 2026 delivering around £1.2 million in savings over the next year. Combined with our decision earlier this year to hold fees at 2025/26 levels despite inflationary pressures, businesses will save approximately £2.5 million overall.

These savings have been made possible through investment in AI-enabled Intelligent Document Processing, smarter digital systems, redesigned workflows and workforce development, improving productivity by around 40% while maintaining robust border controls.

Operating 24/7 at Sevington BCP, the UK's busiest inland Border Control Post, Ashford Port Health processes around 30,000 import notifications every month and has prevented more than 226,000kg of unsafe food entering the food chain since November 2024.

Alongside technology investment, we have built one of the UK's largest specialist Port Health workforce, with more than 100 employees benefiting from structured professional development.

As Anthony Baldock, Corporate Director of Health & Wellbeing, said: "A stronger border is not a slower border. By combining technology, risk insight and professional expertise, we can deliver stronger protection, more efficient trade and better outcomes for businesses and consumers alike."

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

[email protected]
01233 648340

13/07/2026

Following news is in this morning from National Highways

M20 closed for contraflow deployment from 8pm Monday 13 to 6am Tuesday 14 July

To deploy the contraflow safely, we'll close the M20 from 8pm Monday 13 to 6am Tuesday 14 July:

• London bound from junction 9 to 8
• coastbound junction 7 to 9

We've chosen an overnight closure to minimise disruption for road users.
We'll put fully signed diversion routes in place during the overnight closure.

Please follow diversion signs, not SatNav instructions.

When the M20 reopens, the Brock contraflow will be active and you should follow all signs:

HGVs
Once the barrier is in place, all HGVs heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel must follow signs to join Operation Brock at M20 junction 8.

All other coast bound traffic – including local freight and car drivers heading for the continent

Follow the signs and crossover to enter the contraflow on the M20 London bound carriageway.

13/07/2026

What a way to start the week!

We are delighted to share that Ashford Port Health has been selected as a finalist in the Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2026 in the category of The Public Sector Supply Chain Excellence Award.

This recognition reflects the dedication, innovation and hard work of the entire team, as well as the strong partnerships we've built across the supply chain.

From supporting safe trade and protecting public and animal health to driving digital innovation and developing the next generation of environmental health professionals, it's fantastic to see the work of Ashford Port Health being recognised on a national stage.

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this achievement. We are incredibly proud to be finalists and look forward to representing Ashford Port Health at the awards later this year.

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food.

[email protected]
01233 648341

07/07/2026

🍫 World Chocolate Day – 7 July 🍫

Did you know? A single pistachio tree can take 7–10 years before it produces a significant commercial crop. 🌳🥜

While we celebrate one of the world's favourite treats, there's more to chocolate than cocoa. Many premium chocolates contain ingredients such as pistachios, that are traded internationally and can be subject to SPS controls when entering Great Britain.

At Ashford Port Health, our teams help ensure imported food products meet the UK's required standards for safety and compliance, protecting consumers while supporting efficient trade through the border.

Whether it's pistachio-filled chocolates, nut-coated confectionery or other imported food products, robust controls help maintain confidence in the food supply chain.

✅ Protecting public health
✅ Supporting safe and legitimate trade
✅ Maintaining confidence in imported foods
✅ Safeguarding Great Britain's biosecurity

As you enjoy your favourite chocolate today, spare a thought for the complex supply chains and border controls working behind the scenes to keep food moving safely.

Behind every chocolate treat is a serious commitment to food safety. 🍫🛃

🍫 The world's largest chocolate bar weighed over 5.7 tonnes — about the same as a large African elephant! 🐘🍫

Ashford Port Health - Your Gateway to Secure Borders and Safer Food

[email protected]
01233 648340