The UK authorities has prolonged the ban on private imports to stop the unfold of foot and mouth illness (FMD), in response to the unfold of the illness in Europe.
From at the moment (Saturday, April 12), travellers will not be capable to convey cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, in addition to dairy merchandise, from EU international locations into Nice Britain for private use, to guard the well being of British livestock, the safety of farmers and the UK’s meals safety, Defra mentioned.
This contains bringing objects like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, uncooked meats or milk into Nice Britain – no matter whether or not it’s packed or packaged or whether or not it has been purchased at responsibility free.
The Authorities has already banned private imports of cattle, sheep and different ruminants and pig meat in addition to dairy merchandise, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in these international locations, and Austria as a consequence of its proximity to outbreaks in Hungary.
As we speak’s new EU-wide restrictions, which the trade has been calling for for the reason that outbreak in Germany in January, will higher safeguard the UK towards the altering illness threat and supply clear guidelines for travellers, serving to them to adjust to the laws, Defra added.
The ban applies to EU international locations, European Free Commerce Affiliation member states, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and doesn’t cowl business imports.
Poultry, together with eggs, is exempt from the ban, as are low-risk composite merchandise, together with chocolate, confectionery, bread, desserts, biscuits, pasta and meals dietary supplements containing lower than 20% animal merchandise.
The brand new restrictions apply solely to travellers arriving in Nice Britain, and won’t be imposed on private imports arriving from Northern Eire, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Strengthening protections
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner mentioned: “This authorities will do no matter it takes to guard British farmers from foot & mouth. That’s the reason we’re additional strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on private meat and dairy imports to stop the unfold of the illness and shield Britain’s meals safety.”
UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for worldwide and commerce affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro mentioned: “Following the detection of foot and mouth illness in EU international locations leading to a rising threat of introduction into Nice Britain, now we have prolonged restrictions on the private imports of meals merchandise that pose a threat in FMD transmission.
“Strong contingency plans are already in place to handle the chance of this illness to guard farmers and Britain’s meals safety. This biosecurity measure mixed with all others now we have carried out are crucial to restrict the chance of FMD incursion.
“I might urge livestock keepers to proceed exercising the upmost vigilance for indicators of illness, guarantee scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of illness instantly to the Animal and Plant Well being Company.”
Info for travellers getting into the UK
- From Saturday 12 April, it’s unlawful for travellers from all EU international locations getting into Nice Britain to convey objects like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, uncooked meats or milk into the nation. That is no matter whether or not it’s packed or packaged or whether or not it has been purchased at responsibility free.
- Detailed info is offered for the general public which units out a restricted set of exemptions from these guidelines. For instance, a restricted quantity of toddler milk, medical meals and sure composite merchandise like chocolate, confectionery, bread, desserts, biscuits and pasta proceed to be allowed.
- These discovered with these things might want to both give up them on the border or could have them seized and destroyed. In critical instances, these discovered with these things run the chance of incurring fines of as much as £5,000 in England.
Info for animal keepers
The UK’s chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to stay vigilant to the medical indicators of FMD following an incursion of the illness in Germany, adopted by an unrelated incursion affecting Hungary and Slovakia.
- Should you’re an animal keeper, examine how you can spot foot and mouth illness and report it.
- Should you’re an importer or exporter, learn in regards to the import restrictions for foot and mouth illness.
- Scientific indicators to pay attention to range relying on the animals, however in cattle the primary indicators are sores and blisters on the toes, mouth and tongue with doubtlessly a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, indicators are inclined to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.
- Whereas horses and companion animals will not be vulnerable to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an contaminated space, might act as a fomite and subsequently additionally prevented from getting into GB.
- Sustaining good biosecurity is important to defending the well being and welfare of herds and demanding to stopping the unfold of illnesses akin to FMD and stopping an outbreak spreading.
- Foot and mouth illness is a notifiable illness and have to be reported. Should you suspect foot and mouth illness in your animals, you could report it instantly by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 0300 303 8268 in Wales
- your native Subject Providers Workplace in Scotland
For extra info, go to the import, export pages for EU commerce.
