The UK government has extended restrictions on food items brought into the country by air passengers following a confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Greece. Travellers risk having goods seized and face fines of up to £5,000 under measures introduced last April in response to rising cases across mainland Europe.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has banned personal imports of products such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats and milk from EU nations into Great Britain. The latest development confirms that the prohibition on all food products, including duty-free purchases, will continue for an extended period.
Commercial imports of milk, colostrum and related items like feta and yoghurt from Greece are now only permitted if they have undergone necessary heat treatment and are accompanied by a health certificate. Cattle, sheep, goat and pig meat, along with dairy products, are also banned for personal consumption from EU countries.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: “A case of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed in Greece. We are in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation. Robust plans are already in place to minimise the risk of disease incursion.” Labour MP Ben Goldsborough has questioned whether enough is being done to inform the public, asking Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds about funding for awareness campaigns at airports and ports.
DEFRA minister Dame Angela Eagle said biosecurity is a priority and that the Christmas period was used to remind the public of the personal import ban. She noted that over 90% of respondents in a survey were aware of the rules, adding that any decisions on paid campaigns would be based on threat level and available resources.
