UK Government Issues Update on Airport Food Import Restrictions
The UK government has issued a significant update regarding restrictions on passengers bringing food items into the country by air, confirming that existing prohibitions will remain in place following a new foot and mouth disease outbreak in Greece.
Strict Border Controls Continue
Since April last year, travellers arriving in the UK by air have faced strict controls on food imports, with officials authorized to confiscate prohibited items and impose fines of up to £5,000 for violations. These measures were initially implemented in response to foot and mouth disease outbreaks across Europe.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has maintained a comprehensive list of prohibited items that includes sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, and milk products. The restrictions apply to all food items, including those purchased in duty free shops at airports.
Greece Outbreak Confirmed
In today's announcement, officials revealed that a confirmed case of foot and mouth disease has been identified in Greece, prompting the UK government to extend the existing food import ban. This development means travellers returning from Greece face particular scrutiny at UK borders.
The UK government has taken additional action by applying specific restrictions on certain Greek commercial imports to Great Britain. Commercial imports of milk, colostrum, and their products including feta cheese and yogurt are only permitted where the products have undergone required heat treatment and are accompanied by mandatory health certificates.
Government Response and Veterinary Guidance
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss stated: "A case of Foot and Mouth disease has been confirmed in Greece, and 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 to support Britain's farming community and food security."
Dr Middlemiss urged livestock keepers to continue exercising the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity protocols, and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Parliamentary Concerns and Public Awareness
Labour MP Ben Goldsborough has raised concerns in a parliamentary written question about whether sufficient action is being taken to alert the public to the restrictions. He asked Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Emma Reynolds to assess the potential merits of funding public awareness campaigns, including advertisements at airports and ports, regarding foot and mouth disease and African swine fever.
DEFRA minister Dame Angela Eagle outlined comprehensive measures recently undertaken to publicise the prohibition: "Biosecurity is a priority for this Government. To protect UK farmers and animals from serious diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever, we used the Christmas period as an opportunity to remind the public about the personal imports ban on travellers from the EU and EEA countries bringing dairy and meat products to GB, that came into force last year."
Dame Angela added that government insights survey results indicate over 90% of respondents are aware they should not bring back meat and dairy products from these countries. She emphasized that decisions on funding paid campaigns will be made based on current threat levels, evidence of effectiveness, and available resources to ensure maximum impact in protecting UK biosecurity.
Current Restrictions in Detail
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has confirmed that travellers are banned from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use. This follows a rise of disease cases across mainland Europe.
All travellers are urged to ensure they are not bringing these prohibited products into the country, with particular attention needed for those returning from Greece following the confirmed outbreak there.
