Government extends ban on personal meat imports to protect farmers from foot and mouth
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-10)

Ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products extended to cover all EU countries to safeguard the UK food system and farmers against foot and mouth disease

The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe.

From tomorrow (Saturday 12th April), travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.

This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.

Whilst FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, 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 the outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.

FMD can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy.

The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-introduces-import-ban-of-cattle-pigs-and-sheep-from-germany-to-protect-farmers-after-foot-and-mouth-case), Hungary, Slovakia (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/import-ban-of-cattle-pigs-sheep-and-deer-from-hungary-and-slovakia-to-protect-farmers-after-foot-and-mouth-case) and Austria (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/import-ban-of-cattle-pigs-sheep-and-deer-from-austria-to-protect-farmers) earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.

Today’s new EU-wide restrictions better safeguard the UK against the changing disease risk, and provide clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with the regulations. The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot & mouth.

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.

UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said:

Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.

Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion.

I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Information for travellers entering GB

From Saturday 12 April, it will be 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. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.

Detailed information is available for the public which sets out a limited set of exemptions from these rules (https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain). For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.

Those found with these items will need to either 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 in England.

Information for animal keepers

There are currently no cases of FMD in the UK, though the UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following an incursion of the disease in Germany, followed by an unrelated incursion affecting Hungary and Slovakia.

If you’re an animal keeper, read about how to spot foot and mouth disease and report it (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease).

If you’re an importer or exporter, read about the import restrictions for foot and mouth disease (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/imports-and-exports-of-animals-and-animal-products-topical-issues).

Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.

While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore also prevented from entering GB.

Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak spreading.

Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:
- xx-xxxx-xxxx in England
- xx-xxxx-xxxx in Wales
- your local Field Services Office (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha) in Scotland
For more information, visit the import, export pages for EU trade. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/imports-and-exports-of-animals-and-animal-products-topical-issues)