The British Government has introduced temporary restrictions on importing certain meat and animal products from the European Union. As a result, travellers can no longer even bring a sandwich on the Eurostar to London.
The measure came into force last weekend and was introduced in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), following a rising number of cases across Europe.
It is now "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," the UK Government stated. "This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty-free."
In practice, it means that travellers can no longer bring pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison, and other products made from these meats (for example, sausages), as well as milk and dairy products (such as butter, cheese and yoghurt) from the EU for personal use. This also includes products that are not for human consumption (pet food made with pig meat, for example).
Travellers found with these items will need to 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 (over €5,800) in England.
Travellers can still bring up to 2 kg of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special (pet) food needed for medical reasons. However, they can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use).
Certain products that also continue to be allowed are chocolate, confectionery, bread (not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products), cakes without fresh cream, biscuits, pasta and noodles (not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products), packaged soup, stocks and flavouring, processed and packaged plant products, and food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product (such as fish oil capsules).
As the new restrictions only apply to travellers arriving in Great Britain, they will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
While FMD poses no risk to humans, 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 an outbreak presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock. There are currently no reported cases in the UK.
More information on the disease and the import ban can be found on the UK Government's website.
What about UK travellers entering the EU?
Travellers are not allowed to bring meat and milk products for personal use when entering the EU from anywhere in the world, including the UK.
However, this has nothing to do with the latest announcement from the British authorities. The measure has been in place since Brexit, as the UK has since faced the same rules as every other non-EU country.
This is because dangerous pathogens that cause animal diseases (including FMD and classical swine fever) can reside in meat, milk or their products. These present a real threat to animal health throughout the EU.
There is an exemption for powdered baby milk, baby food, or special foods for humans or animals where there is a medical need.
