GRAT BRITAIN

Britain blocks meat imports from EU

Britain has decided to "temporarily" bann imports of meat and dairy products from the EU.

Posted on Apr 21 ,00:20

Britain blocks meat imports from EU

More precisely, the British government has introduced a series of measures that prohibit holidaymakers from bringing meat and dairy products from the EU into Britain. The aim is to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as much as possible. According to the Department of Agriculture, the restrictions only apply to arrivals in Britain from the EU and not from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

From 12 April, travellers entering Britain from the EU are therefore prohibited from bringing with them items such as cured meats, cheeses, yoghurts and sandwiches, even if packaged or purchased duty free. Infant formula, baby food and special medical foods are exempt from the ban. Banned goods found in the luggage of travellers arriving from the EU will be seized and destroyed, the government said, and travellers could face fines of up to £5,000 (over €5,800). 

"This Government - stressed the Minister for Agriculture, Daniel Zeichner - will do everything necessary to protect British farmers from foot and mouth disease. 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".

Earlier this year, the UK had already banned personal imports of live animals and dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria due to confirmed outbreaks. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious virus that affects livestock, causing painful blisters and causing major production losses. Although it does not pose a risk to humans and there are currently no cases in the UK, outbreaks are spreading across Europe. In 2001, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK led to the culling of millions of animals. 

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