The UK has introduced a ban on importing meat and dairy products for personal use from the European Union, EFTA States, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. As of 12 April, travellers arriving in Great Britain are prohibited from bringing restricted products from their trips. The country’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs explained this decision as a preventive measure against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) following a surge in cases across Europe.
The restrictions apply to a wide range of products from certain cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids, deer and dairy products, regardless of packaging or purchase location. Customs services will stop tourists even for sandwiches with banned ham and cheese, The Guardian reports.
While FMD does not affect humans, it severely impacts livestock, leading to significant economic losses and trade restrictions. Exemptions exist for infant milk, medical foods, and specific composite products such as chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta. Violations may result in confiscation and fines reaching £5,000.
Travelling to Europe over Easter?
— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) April 17, 2025
You can no longer bring personal meat and dairy products from EU countries into GB.
We’ve introduced these measures to protect farmers from the spread of foot and mouth disease.
Find out more: https://t.co/bs8TMreZR0 pic.twitter.com/Jn89eSIYxy
The risk of FMD entering the UK is currently assessed as medium.
the Department said in a statement.
Commercial imports from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria were previously suspended after outbreaks of the virus in January and March 2025. While the UK has not seen a case of foot-and-mouth disease since 2007, officials are taking proactive steps in response to the growing threat in Europe. Trade restrictions apply to hay and straw, any animal susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, as well as germplasm, fresh meat, unprocessed raw meat and dairy products, and animal by-products such as pet food. However, these measures apply specifically to Great Britain and exclude Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
UK authorities emphasise the importance of biosecurity, farmer protection and food supply safety, urging livestock keepers to watch for symptoms and report suspected cases.
“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”, said Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner.
To further strengthen the country’s biosecurity and food resilience, the UK Government has invested £45.6 million in advanced agricultural technology. The funding is part of a wider effort to support UK farmers by improving productivity, increasing profitability and protecting the environment.
Today, we have invested £45.6 million in groundbreaking technologies to boost British farming.
— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) April 14, 2025
We are backing farmers by giving them the tools they need to increase profits, food production and protect nature.https://t.co/TyxDHRaAfN pic.twitter.com/LIwPY7HJYX
The National Farmers’ Union supports the government’s actions and calls for permanent legislative measures and resource reinforcement to tackle illegal imports and strengthen the UK’s biosecurity.
“In an ever more uncertain world, it’s imperative we have a comprehensive cross-government biosecurity plan with the necessary investment behind it, and which would place these restrictions on a permanent legislative footing”, emphasised NFU President Tom Bradshaw.
NFU members | NFU President Tom Bradshaw (@ProagriLtd) reacts to government ban of personal meat imports to protect British farms.
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) April 11, 2025
Read more👉https://t.co/ETRvF4adIE#BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/3Jekeag4QC
Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious disease affecting animals, mainly cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. It causes fever and blisters on the mucous membranes and hooves, leading to major livestock population losses. It has no specific treatment, and control relies on outbreak containment and animal vaccination.
Hundreds of thousands of British tourists are expected to travel to mainland Europe over the Easter weekend. Travellers are advised to consult official guidelines before bringing food items into Great Britain to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
