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, Hungary,
Slovakia and Austria 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 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. 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.
If you're an importer or exporter, read about the import
restrictions for foot and mouth disease.
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.
