The UK government has extended the ban on personal imports to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD), in response to the spread of the disease in Europe.
From today (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, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers and the UK’s food security, Defra said.
This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.
The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries, and Austria due to its proximity to outbreaks in Hungary.
Today’s new EU-wide restrictions, which the industry has been calling for since the outbreak in Germany in January, will better safeguard the UK against the changing disease risk and provide clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with the regulations, Defra added.
The ban applies to EU countries, European Free Trade Association member states, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and does not cover commercial imports.
Poultry, including eggs, is exempt from the ban, as are low-risk composite products, including chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and food supplements containing less than 20% animal products.
The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Strengthening protections
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot & 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.”
UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: “Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.
“Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion.
“I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “This is a welcome move by government and something we believe should have been introduced a long time ago to help protect the country against the introduction of ASF.
“The rules, as they stood, represented a partial ban, which was difficult for travellers to understand and for the authorities to enforce. This should remove the ambiguity and add a further layer of protection to our border controls.
“However, we continue to stress that those on the frontline of implementing our border controls must be properly resourced to ensure they can do so effectively.
“We note that the guidance suggests the measures are temporary, but we will be pushing for this to remain as a permanent EU-wide ban on personal imports.”
A spokesperson for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) said: “AIMS have urged the Government to impose a ban on personal imports for meat and dairy products for a considerable time.
“We welcome this announcement which will help to defend our borders from imported diseases such as FMD and ASF that posed such a threat to British farming, food processing and the wider economy.
“The Government now need to ensure that travellers, especially those holidaying in Europe this summer, are made aware at the point of embarkation, that they are not permitted to bring in meat and dairy products to Great Britain.”
Information for travellers entering the UK
- From Saturday 12 April, it is illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.
- Detailed information is available for the public which sets out a limited set of exemptions from these rules. For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.
- Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.
Information for animal keepers
The UK’s chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following an incursion of the disease in Germany, followed by an unrelated incursion affecting Hungary and Slovakia.
- If you’re an animal keeper, read about how to spot foot and mouth disease and report it.
- If you’re an importer or exporter, read about the import restrictions for foot and mouth disease.
- Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.
- While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore also prevented from entering GB.
- Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak spreading.
- Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 0300 303 8268 in Wales
- your local Field Services Office in Scotland
For more information, visit the import, export pages for EU trade.