The INTERCEPT-project seeks to propose a robust framework for the long-term monitoring of (exotic) animal product imports into Belgium, highlighting the legal and illegal aspects of the trade and its implications for public and animal health. INTERCEPT aims to move towards a centralised database by integrating data from various federal services and agencies to gain a better overview of the trade and to promote the dissemination of crucial information among federal services, agencies, and stakeholders. The project also aims to introduce a secure and efficient sampling method for officials, along with a laboratory species identification pipeline by researchers, which will enable rapid DNA-based identification of illegally imported meat. During the project, meat intercepted from passengers luggage at Brussels Airport is sampled, identified using DNA barcoding and screened for pathogens. At present, 424 specimens have been sampled, of which 315 have been identified so far. About 40% were derived from non-domesticated species, including meat from 10 CITES-listed species. Among the seized wild meat samples, greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) and African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) were predominant. Six specimens (5%) were misidentified as domestic meat upon seizure, while DNA analyses revealed a wild species. Inversely, twelve specimens (6%) were misidentified as wild meat, while DNA analyses revealed a domestic species. By fostering collaboration among scientific institutions and federal agencies, this initiative aims to inform border control measures, and will support future research into diseases carried by both domestic and exotic meat, allowing better characterisation of the health risks associated with the illegal import of meat from third countries.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
