UK Tightens Restrictions on Meat and Dairy Imports to Combat FMD

The UK government has broadened its ban on the import of meat and dairy products for personal use to safeguard British agriculture from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This measure prohibits travelers from bringing in cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, and dairy products from EU countries.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has clarified that FMD poses no threat to humans but is a highly contagious disease affecting several livestock species, leading to significant economic damage.

Previous import restrictions targeted Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria due to confirmed outbreaks. However, the current EU-wide ban provides better protection and clear compliance guidelines for travelers. Individuals violating these rules could face severe penalties, including fines up to £5,000 in England.

Farmers are urged by DEFRA to stay vigilant for symptoms in livestock and ensure strict biosecurity to avoid the disease's introduction. The import ban does not apply to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

The government remains committed to protecting food security, as emphasized by Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner, remarking on the importance of these increased protections for British farmers.