People taking snacks onto aircraft in hand luggage 'could face £5,000 fines' over EU travel rule

Wales Online

2 days ago

People taking snacks onto aircraft in hand luggage 'could face £5,000 fines' over EU travel rule
Even food bought at the airport will fall foul of the rules from destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey and France.
Anyone entering the UK is banned from taking foods from the EU into the country - with possible fines
(Image: Getty Images )
Travellers have been warned that taking snacks through customs - even bought at the airport - could see them confiscated and fines imposed. A ban is currently in place for anyone coming back to the UK from Europe - including hotspot countries like Spain, Greece, Turkey and France.
It's unlawful for travellers entering Great Britain from any EU country to carry the likes of sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk. So picking up a sarnie at the airport in Spain and trying to take it back to the UK could get you in trouble, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has said.
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The new laws which were introduced this year are still in place, officials have confirmed, as the holiday season really starts to get underway as June arrives. Current rules enforce that anyone caught importing items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk into Great Britain will face enforcement actions at customs.
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Border officials will be on the lookout for contraband food items, with those caught having to either give them up or watch as they're confiscated and disposed of. Officials warn, 'In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.'
With foot and mouth disease (FMD) case numbers on the rise across Europe, the UK Government has introduced bans to curb the spread. The prohibition, aimed to protect domestic animal health, farmer livelihoods and UK food security, applies to importing meat and dairy products from cows, sheep, goats, and pigs from the EU for personal use.
Officials have confirmed that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) poses no risk to humans, and there are currently no cases in the UK. However, it is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas.
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The outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock. FMD can cause substantial economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy. In response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year, the Government has already prohibited personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products from these countries.
The new restrictions apply solely 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 stated at the launch: 'This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and 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: '.
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Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro, UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs, has issued a warning: '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.'
He further emphasised the Government's readiness by stating: '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.'
The restrictions have exceptions, however, as Dr Martin-Almagro explains: 'A limited set of exemptions from these rules in place. 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.'
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