No More Ham and Cheese Souvenirs

A quick trip to France or Italy might still promise sunshine, scenic views, and gastronomic delights—but bringing a taste of Europe back to the UK just got a lot harder. As of April 12, 2025, travellers arriving in Great Britain are officially banned from bringing in any meat or dairy products from European Union countries for personal use.

This sweeping measure comes in response to a growing threat: foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly infectious virus affecting livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. While it poses no health risk to humans, the economic and agricultural consequences of an outbreak could be devastating for the UK's farming industry.

What's Banned Now?

Under the new rules, you can no longer carry:

Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
Cheeses of any kind, from brie to blue
Raw meat, milk, and dairy-based products
Even a humble ham and cheese sandwich will raise red flags at customs

It doesn’t matter if the items are vacuum-sealed, wrapped in duty-free bags, or stashed in your carry-on. If it contains meat or dairy and it's from the EU, it's not getting past the border.

Why Now?

Foot-and-mouth disease has recently flared up in several EU nations, including Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Although the UK has remained free of the virus, the government is tightening its biosecurity belt in an effort to keep it that way.

"This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot-and-mouth," said Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner. “That’s why we’re stepping up and expanding these import restrictions.”

What Happens If You Break the Rules?

If you're caught with proscribed products:

You'll have to surrender the items
Or they’ll be confiscated and destroyed
And in serious cases, fines could reach £5,000

There are, however, a few exemptions: infant formula, medical nutrition, and certain processed foods like chocolate, pasta, and baked goods are still allowed.

A Critical Line of Defense

Experts in animal health stress that this is more than bureaucratic red tape—it's a proactive strategy to shield the nation’s food system from a potentially catastrophic event.

“Robust contingency plans are already in place,” said Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro, the UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer. “This is about closing one more window through which FMD could enter the country.”

Animal keepers are being urged to stay vigilant, monitor livestock for symptoms like blisters, lameness, or fever, and report any signs immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

What’s at Stake?

An outbreak could mean mass culling of livestock, significant trade restrictions, and long-term damage to the UK's farming sector. During the 2001 FMD outbreak, the UK economy lost billions, and images of burning carcasses became a grim national memory.

By enforcing these new travel restrictions, the government hopes to avoid a repeat of that history—and maintain public confidence in British farming and food production.

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