London: The UK government has imposed a temporary ban on travelers bringing meat and dairy products from the European Union, in response to a growing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across parts of Europe.
The restriction, which came into effect, prohibits passengers from bringing in items such as cured meats, cheeses, and dairy products, including those packed in sandwiches or purchased duty-free.
The ban applies to all meat and dairy products originating from EU countries, regardless of whether they are fresh, cured, or sealed, except for Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
This preventive measure follows earlier targeted bans on imports from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, where rising FMD cases have sparked growing alarm among veterinary and agricultural authorities.
Though FMD poses no threat to human health, the virus is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, causing painful blisters, lameness, and feeding difficulties.
It spreads rapidly through contaminated meat and dairy products and poses a significant threat to UK livestock if introduced into the environment.
Authorities fear that discarded food products could be scavenged by wildlife or come into contact with farm animals, providing a dangerous route for the virus to spread.
Even items intended for human consumption may unwittingly carry the virus and, if improperly disposed of, could cause serious consequences.
Under the new regulations, any restricted products found at UK entry points will be seized and destroyed.
Travelers found violating the rules could face fines of up to £5,000 in serious cases. Exemptions include up to 2kg of powdered infant milk or medically required special foods per person.
The UK has remained free of FMD since a limited outbreak in 2007. The government is determined to avoid repeating that agricultural and economic catastrophe.
