Foot-and-mouth import ban extended to EU
The ban includes cured meat, cheeses and milk.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended a ban of personal imports of meat and dairy products to cover all European Union (EU) countries.
Effective 12 April, travellers are no longer able to import cattle, sheep, goat and pig meat products from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use. This includes sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meat and milk.
These latest restrictions follow previous bans earlier this year on imports from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, after confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease from or around these countries.
Defra says that these new restrictions on EU countries would safeguard the UK against changing disease risk and protect the health of British livestock. It says that it has provided clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with regulations.
The new restrictions apply only to those travelling into Great Britain and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving into Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a risk to humans. However, it is a highly contagious disease among cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals.
Although there are currently no cases in the UK, an outbreak in the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.
Jorge Martin-Almagro, UK deputy chief veterinary officer for international trade and affairs, said: “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.”
Clinical signs vary depending on the animals. Cattle may present with sores and blisters on their feet, mouth and tongue, as well as fever and lameness. Sheep and pigs may show lameness, with potential for blistering.
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Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
