In a move aimed at shielding British agriculture from the resurgence of foot and mouth disease, the Government has introduced a raft of stringent new rules restricting the import of food products from Europe.
As of April 12, 2025, holidaymakers and other travellers arriving in the UK are no longer permitted to bring meat and dairy items—including seemingly innocuous fare such as sandwiches, cheeses, and cured meats—for personal use.
The new restrictions, announced quietly last month but now in full force at ports and airports, are part of a broader effort to bolster biosecurity across the country’s borders. Officials say the measures are crucial to prevent the highly contagious disease from re-entering the UK, where it has previously wrought economic and emotional devastation on farming communities.
Under the tightened regime, all meat and dairy products are banned from personal import unless specifically exempted. Items such as infant formula, certain powdered milks, and some processed confectionery products remain permissible, though travellers are being urged to check official guidance before packing their bags.
“We understand this may be an inconvenience to some passengers,” said a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), “but the risk posed by foot and mouth disease is serious. Once introduced, it spreads rapidly and can result in enormous costs to our farming sector and the wider economy. These rules are about prevention and protection.”
The disease, caused by a virus affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, has a notorious history in Britain. The 2001 outbreak, which led to the culling of over six million animals, is still etched into the collective memory of rural Britain. Economically, it cost the UK an estimated £8 billion, with tourism and trade both hit hard. The human cost—while indirect—was nonetheless profound, as farming families were forced to slaughter entire herds and communities bore the brunt of mass biosecurity lockdowns.
Although the current risk level is considered “moderate,” recent outbreaks in parts of Eastern Europe have raised concerns about the potential for the disease to reach British shores once again, particularly via contaminated meat or dairy products inadvertently carried in travellers’ luggage.
The UK’s new controls align with similar measures already in place in other biosecurity-conscious nations such as Australia and New Zealand. In those countries, border agents routinely screen bags and issue on-the-spot fines for violations. The UK appears to be moving in a similar direction.
“Travellers need to take this seriously,” said Dr. Rachel Hargrave, a veterinary epidemiologist at the University of Reading. “Even small quantities of contaminated food can pose a risk. Foot and mouth virus is extremely hardy and can survive in frozen meat or unpasteurised dairy. It’s not about panic—it’s about prudence.”
Early reports suggest that enforcement is already under way at key entry points including Heathrow, Gatwick, Dover, and the Eurostar terminals. Border Force officers have been briefed to inspect luggage for contraband food items, and signage has been increased to inform arriving passengers of the new rules. Offenders could face fines or have their items confiscated on the spot.
Some holidaymakers, caught unawares, have expressed frustration. “I brought back a bit of cheese and sausage from France—it’s a family tradition,” said James Whitaker, 43, from Surrey. “They took it away at customs. I understand the reasoning, but it still feels a bit heavy-handed.”
Others, however, have welcomed the clarity and the focus on public safety. “I’d rather they were cautious,” said Mary Dunlop, a smallholder from Cumbria. “We’ve seen the horror of an outbreak before. I wouldn’t want to live through that again.”
Defra has launched an awareness campaign online and through travel operators, advising UK nationals and foreign visitors alike to consult the official guidelines before travelling. The list of permitted and prohibited items is detailed on the government website and is expected to be updated regularly as the risk landscape evolves.
In the meantime, seasoned travellers are being advised to leave the picnic at home.
As the world becomes ever more interconnected, Britain’s efforts to keep devastating diseases at bay are likely to grow in both scope and stringency. For now, the message from Whitehall is clear: protecting the nation’s farms begins at the border—and that means no cheese, no sausages, and definitely no brie baguettes.
