1 week Ago
(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Apr, 2025) , 12th , 2025 (WAM) – The British said on Friday that the ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products has been extended to cover EU countries to safeguard the system and farmers against foot and mouth disease. The has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across . From tomorrow (Saturday 12th ), travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the ’s food security.
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. Whilst FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the , it is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas, and the outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock. FMD can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign for animals, meat and dairy.
The has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, , , and earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries. Today’s new EU-wide restrictions better safeguard the against the changing disease risk, and provide clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with the regulations. The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving Northern , Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of .
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: This will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers 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. Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the 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..
