We are proud to share that Juliana Walterová, a student of the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, received the Best Presentation Award at the conference Zoologické dny.
The jury appreciated not only the scientific quality of her research, but also her clear and engaging presentation of a complex topic linking biodiversity conservation with biosecurity and agricultural protection. Juliana’s talk highlighted the importance of wildlife forensic tools in addressing emerging biological risks.
Smuggled Meat: A Risk to Biodiversity and Biosecurity
The award-winning presentation was based on research investigating illegal imports of animal products carried in passengers’ luggage. The FTZ research team analysed samples confiscated at Václav Havel Airport Prague.
Using mitochondrial DNA sequencing, the team identified a wide range of smuggled taxa — from common pork and beef to dog meat and products derived from exotic species, including softshell turtles and eels.
A key part of the study focused on screening confiscated pork samples for African swine fever (ASF) virus. The results were alarming: nearly one third of analysed samples — including heat-treated products — contained ASF viral DNA. Moreover, a genotype not commonly found in continental Europe was identified.
The findings underline that illegally transported meat is not only a conservation issue but also a serious biosecurity threat to European agriculture and public health. Systematic molecular screening at airports therefore represents a crucial preventive tool.
Congratulations to Juliana on this outstanding achievement and thank you for representing FTZ so successfully.
