London: The British Government announced on Friday the extension of its ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products to include all EU countries. This step aims to protect the UK food system and farmers from the threat of foot and mouth disease.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Government has implemented measures to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) due to an increasing number of cases across Europe. Starting tomorrow, travellers will be prohibited from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use. This effort is designed to safeguard the health of British livestock, secure farmers' livelihoods, and ensure the UK's food security.
The ban encompasses items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk, regardless of whether they are packed, packaged, or purchased at duty-free. While FMD poses no risk to humans and no cases are present in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals, including wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas. The outbreak in Europe poses a significant threat to farm businesses and livestock.
FMD can lead to substantial economic losses due to decreased production in affected animals and the loss of access to foreign markets for meat and dairy products. Previously, the Government banned personal imports of cattle, sheep, and other ruminants, as well as pig meat and dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.
The newly implemented EU-wide restrictions aim to better protect the UK against the evolving disease risk and provide clear guidelines for travellers to ensure compliance with the regulations. These restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain and do not affect personal imports from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding British farmers from foot and mouth disease, stating, "This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth." He added that the introduction of restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports is a measure to prevent the disease's spread and protect Britain's food security.
Travellers found with prohibited items will be required to surrender them at the border, or they will be seized and destroyed. In serious cases, individuals may face fines of up to £5,000 in England.