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British tourists are being cautioned not to bring cheese, meat, or related products back from EU countries due to a temporary ban introduced by the UK government. The new rules, which came into effect on Saturday, are intended to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease following a growing number of outbreaks across the continent.
Previously, these restrictions only applied to travelers returning from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. However, the updated ban now covers all EU countries, and includes a wide range of food products, even if they are packaged, purchased in duty-free shops, or part of sandwiches.
The prohibited items include pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, and venison, along with any food made from these meats, such as sausages and cured meats. Milk and dairy products—including cheese, butter, and yoghurt—are also banned from being brought into Great Britain. There are a few exceptions: travelers are allowed to bring up to 2 kilograms per person of powdered infant milk, baby food, or special foods required for medical purposes.
The UK government has stressed that these measures are necessary to maintain the country's foot-and-mouth disease-free status. There are currently no cases in the UK, with the last outbreak dating back to 2001. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious virus that affects livestock, causing painful blisters in their mouths and on their hooves, leading to difficulty feeding and lameness.
Border officials will confiscate and destroy any restricted products found in travelers' luggage. In more severe cases, individuals could face fines of up to £5,000. These regulations apply only to people entering Great Britain; they do not apply to those arriving in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Officials are urging travelers to familiarize themselves with the new rules before returning from EU holidays to avoid having their items seized at the border.
Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union, praised the government’s swift response and said that tighter border controls are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease. He emphasized the importance of protecting UK agriculture and maintaining high biosecurity standards.
However, not everyone agrees with how the measures were rolled out. The Guild of Fine Food, which represents independent food and drink retailers, described the ban on bringing back "holiday treats" as rushed. Despite this criticism, the Guild acknowledged that the new rules bring the government’s treatment of individual travelers in line with the tighter restrictions already faced by small food and drink businesses.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild, said that while the food and drink industry fully supports the need to protect farmers and uphold biosecurity, the additional bureaucracy introduced after Brexit has already created significant challenges for small importers and exporters.
