New laws after a disease outbreak means people coming from hotspots including Spain, France, Italy and Greece face possible £5,000 penalties
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 28: Border Force check the passports of passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport on May 28, 2014 in London, England. Border Force is the law enforcement command within the Home Office responsible for the security of the UK border by enforcing immigration and customs controls on people and goods entering the UK. Border Force officers work at 140 sea and airports across the UK and overseas. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)(Image: Getty)
Travellers have been warned they face fines of £5,000 if they try to bring 5 items through customs – even if they bought it from duty free. The government last month brought in strict new rules to cope with an outbreak of a serious disease in Europe.
It means that anyone travelling from hotspots like Spain, France, Italy and Greece will have to make sure they don’;t have any prohibited items in the luggage. The rules which are still in place mean anyone caught with items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country will be stopped at the border.
It is illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.
Officials said those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border 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.“
The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe. Travellers are banned from bringingcattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.
Officials say FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, but 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 markets for animals, meat and dairy.The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.
The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said when it was launched: “This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from 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.
UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: “Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.
“Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion. I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
A limited set of exemptions from these rules in place. For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed. For more information click here.