The new EU-wide restrictions aim to better protect the UK against the evolving disease risk and to provide clearer rules for travellers, helping them comply with the regulations
The British Government announced on Friday that the ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products has been extended to cover all EU countries to safeguard the UK food system and farmers against foot and mouth disease (FMD). In response to the rising number of FMD cases across Europe, the Government has taken additional measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Starting tomorrow (Saturday, April 12), travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use. This measure is aimed at protecting the health of British livestock, securing farmers’ livelihoods, and maintaining the UK’s food security.
This includes items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk, whether packed, packaged, or bought duty-free. While FMD does not pose a risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas. The outbreak in Europe presents a significant risk to UK farm businesses and livestock.
FMD can lead to major economic losses due to production shortfalls in affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for meat and dairy products. Earlier this year, the Government had already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep, ruminants, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, following confirmed FMD outbreaks in those countries.
The new EU-wide restrictions aim to better protect the UK against the evolving disease risk and to provide clearer rules for travellers, helping them comply with the regulations. The restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain and will not affect personal imports from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner emphasized, “This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth. That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.”
Travellers found with banned items will either have to surrender them at the border or have them seized and destroyed. In more serious cases, individuals may face fines of up to £5,000 in England.
