Bans on personal meat imports to protect farmers from Foot & Mouth disease.
On 12 April 2025 UK Government announced a ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products from all EU countries to safeguard the UK food system and farmers against foot and mouth disease. Travellers are no longer able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products. This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free. Here’s what you need to know:
Whilst FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas, and the outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.
FMD can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy.
Below are FAQs from GOV.uk addressing common questions about the import restrictions.
Why are you extending the personal import measures now?
The Government is taking a proactive approach to extend the personal import measures already applied to Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary to all EU member states, EFTA, the Faroe Islands and Greenland given the ongoing and uncertain epidemiological situation in Europe and the free movement of goods amongst these countries.
How long will the new measures be in force for?
The measures will stay in place until personal imports of affected products no longer pose a biosecurity risk to Great Britain.
What products does the measure cover?
All meat, meat products and dairy products of ruminants–such as cows, sheep, goats, deer, camelids–and pigs are prohibited.
Why aren’t you banning poultry meat?
Poultry meat does not present a risk of spread of foot and mouth disease
Are there any exemptions?
Travellers are allowed to bring up to 2kg of powdered infant milk, infant food and special food (including petfood) required for medical reasons, provided they are commercially produced and packaged, shelf-stable and unopened unless in current use. There are also no restrictions on certain low-risk composite products (including chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and food supplements containing less than 20% animal products). Enforcement and compliance
How will this measure be enforced?
Border Force will check for prohibited goods as part of customs checks. Questions on the specifics of enforcement should be directed to Border Force.
What happens if Border Force find prohibited goods?
Border Force has powers to seize prohibited goodson arrival and destroy them. Offenders could potentially face penalties of up to £5,000 in England or unlimited fines on successful prosecution.
How can travellers dispose of any prohibited goods at ports and airports?
Travellers carrying prohibited goods should surrender them to Border Force via the customs Red Channel.
Does the ban apply to personal imports from Northern Ireland?
No, there are no restrictions on personal imports from Northern Ireland (or from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man) to Great Britain.
Do these measures apply for personal imports from the EU into Northern Ireland?
No, they apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain.
Do these restrictions apply from Republic of Ireland to Great Britain?
The restrictions do apply from Republic of Ireland to GB.
Can I be served meat and dairy products on board?
Yes, meat and dairy products for consumption can be consumed on board.
If a passenger was to buy a meat sandwich on board, and then take it home with them, would they be breaching the ban?
Yes, they would. If a passenger brings a meat sandwich through customs, they are breaching the ban.
Does the ban mean that ships are not permitted to serve food containing prohibited meat and dairy products while in UK waters or does it mean that their passengers cannot disembark with these foods for excursions?
Ships can continue to serve food containing meat and dairy products while in UK waters. However, passengers cannot disembark with prohibited meat and dairy products.