The UK government has imposed a temporary ban on cheese and meat products from the European Union (EU) to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), on Thursday, the 17th of April, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
The restrictions apply regardless of whether the goods are packaged or pre-packaged or purchased from duty-free outlets.
Since Saturday, the 12th of April, travellers have been banned from bringing in foreign goodies such as aged meats and cheese, including in sandwiches, due to a growing outbreak on the continent.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious virus that causes blisters on the hooves and mouth of animals and prevents them from walking or eating. The disease is not dangerous to humans.
However, any animal products, such as meat and dairy products, have the potential to transmit FMD. There are concerns that if contaminated products enter the UK, even if they are intended for human consumption, they may be consumed by animals, for example if they are discarded in such a way that they may come into contact with wild animals or domestic animals looking for food.
The restrictions apply to persons arriving in the Great Britain, not in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
IF PEOPLE TRY TO BRING IN BANNED PRODUCTS, THEY WILL BE SEIZED AND DESTROYED AND IN “SERIOUS CASES” PEOPLE COULD BE FINED UP TO 5 000 STERLING.
The list of restricted products includes pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison and other products made from these meats, such as sausages. Milk and dairy products such as butter, cheese and yoghurt.
People can import up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, baby food or special food needed for medical reasons.
In 2001, more than six million animals were killed in the UK due to an outbreak of FMD, although there were only about 2 000 confirmed cases. Farms were required to destroy all animals if even one case was found.
The last, smaller outbreak was in 2007, when there were only eight infected farms in one small area of the country. There are currently no reported cases of FMD in the UK. Cases were confirmed in Germany in January this year and in Hungary and Slovakia last month.
Tom Bradshaw, leader of the National Farmers’ Union, said he was pleased that the Government had moved quickly to introduce the ban and has now extended it. He said tighter border controls were important as the source of FMD in Europe was still unknown.
The Guild of Fine Food, an organisation representing independent food and drink retailers, said the ban on “holiday snacks” was “premature”, but added that it was in line with government policy towards travellers and small businesses, which already face restrictions.