The United Kingdom has reinforced a strict ban on travellers entering the country with meat and dairy products, according to Executive Digest via Europa Press.

The measure is aimed at preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which has seen a rise in cases across parts of Europe.

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed the expanded restrictions just ahead of the Easter holiday, intensifying controls on personal imports. The rule now applies to all beef, pork, lamb, and dairy products, regardless of whether they’re commercially packaged or purchased from duty-free shops.

Under these updated rules, travellers from any EU country are prohibited from bringing meat or dairy products into the UK for personal consumption. Bringing these items is now considered illegal, and failure to comply can lead to fines of up to £5,000 (approx. €5,800).

There are limited exceptions to the ban, which include: Infant formula or baby food (in small quantities), Medically prescribed dietary products and non-risk foods such as chocolate, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and sweets.

If banned items are found at the border, they will be confiscated and destroyed immediately.

Why is this happening?

Although foot-and-mouth disease poses no threat to humans, it is highly contagious among livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, as well as wild animals like deer and boar. An outbreak could have devastating consequences for UK agriculture.

Earlier this year, the UK had already introduced targeted bans on personal meat and dairy imports from Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, where outbreaks had been reported.