Travellers returning to Great Britain from half-term holidays are being warned to check rules on bringing food items. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has reminded holiday-goers that meat and dairy products from Europe are banned to protect UK farmers from diseases like Foot and Mouth.
According to government guidelines, you cannot bring most meats or dairy products from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. Exceptions include up to 2kg per person of powdered baby milk, baby food, or medical food, provided they are in branded, unopened packaging and do not require refrigeration.
From countries outside those listed, stricter rules apply: no meat, dairy, or animal products (except up to 20kg of fish per person), and most fruit and vegetables require a phytosanitary certificate. Pet food containing meat from pigs, cows, sheep, goats or deer is banned from the EU, while from other countries, only health-related pet food (up to 2kg) is allowed with evidence.
Items protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), such as caviar or eel fillets, may require a permit. Travellers are urged to consult the Gov.uk website before travelling to avoid delays or confiscation at UK airports.
