Brits have been warned that they could face a £5,000 fine and prosecution if they bring two common items back into the UK from their summer holiday – even if they were purchased at duty free.
Holidaygoers are banned from bringing back untreated meat and dairy products from abroad in a new move to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth disease. This means it is now illegal to bring back foods lamb, pork, mutton and goat meat and any products containing them, like sandwiches.
This also includes cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches containing any of these ingredients. The ban even applies to items that are packaged or bought at the airport.
Foot and Mouth disease is a “highly contagious viral disease” that can kill cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can be carried in animal products and spread quickly, the government warned. There have been a recent wave of cases impacting Hungary, Austria and Germany, which has led to the UK’s chief veterinarian urging the British public to follow the new rules.
The disease can also have devastating economic impacts, and the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 is estimated to have cost £15 billion in disease control costs alone.
Any travellers found with the banned items will need to surrender them at the border, or they will have them seized and destroyed. In some cases, people could be fined £5,000 in England, or prosecuted across Great Britain.
The ban, which was introduced in April, is set to stay in place until the “personal import of affected products no longer poses a significant biosecurity risk to GB”. However, the restrictions do not apply to those arriving into Great Britain from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
The UK’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, urged holidaymakers to do their bit to protect farmers. She said: “I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation.”
Middlemiss added: “This highly contagious disease causes considerable suffering to livestock and has a devastating economic and personal impact on farmers, who lose their prized animals.”
On July 24, biosecurity minister Baroness Hayman said: “We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country—doing so puts farmers’ livelihoods at risk.”
She added the ban reflects a “clear determination to safeguard our borders” and “maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity against Foot and Mouth disease is essential”.
Symptoms of Foot and Mouth disease vary depending on the animal, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue, a fever, reluctance to feed, and lameness. Meanwhile, in pigs and sheep, the signs are usually lameness and blistering.
If farmers suspect Foot and Mouth disease in their animals, they must report it immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, or the local Field Services Office in Scotland.