UK Imposes Ban on EU Meat and Dairy Imports to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

British holidaymakers returning from European getaways will now have to leave behind their favorite cured meats and cheeses, as the UK government has officially banned personal imports of meat and dairy products from EU countries. The new measure, effective from this weekend, aims to shield Britain from a potential outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) following a surge in cases across parts of Europe.

Under the new regulation, travelers entering Great Britain are prohibited from bringing any meat or dairy products derived from cattle, pigs, sheep, or goats, including popular items such as cheese, ham sandwiches, sausages, milk, and cured meats—regardless of whether they are sealed, packaged, or duty-free purchases.

Safeguarding UK Livestock and Food Security

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued a statement warning of the growing FMD threat in mainland Europe. The department highlighted that while the disease does not affect humans, it poses a serious risk to livestock health, farm businesses, and the broader agricultural economy.

“Foot-and-mouth disease can lead to devastating economic losses through decreased productivity and restricted access to export markets,” the statement read.

This follows earlier restrictions on animal and meat imports from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, where FMD outbreaks have been confirmed.

Exemptions and Enforcement

The restrictions do not apply to Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, but travelers into England, Scotland, and Wales will be subject to strict customs checks. Individuals found carrying banned items may be fined up to £5,000 or required to surrender the goods for destruction.

Some exemptions are in place, including:

• Small quantities of infant milk or food
• Medical dietary products
• Composite items such as chocolate, pasta, cakes, biscuits, and bread

Government Response and Expert Remarks

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, stated:

These new import controls are essential to prevent foot-and-mouth disease from entering the country and to ensure the continued safety of our food supply.”

These updated biosecurity measures, along with surveillance and reporting protocols, are critical to protecting our livestock industry.”

Martin-Almagro urged UK farmers and animal keepers to be vigilant for signs of FMD and to maintain high biosecurity standards. Any suspicious cases should be immediately reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).