Tourists warned of fines of up to £5,000 for bringing back five common items from abroad

The government has warned travellers about the new crackdown which is still in effect and that they will face fines if they are found to be breaching the rules

Travellers have been warned they could be hit with fines of up to £5,000 if they attempt to bring certain items through customs – even purchases from duty-free shops. In response to an outbreak of a serious disease in Europe the government introduced stringent new regulations last month.

Those journeying from areas such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece must ensure their luggage is free of any banned goods. Current regulations mean travellers found carrying items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk into the country will be intercepted at the border.

It's against the law for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring in items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk.

This applies irrespective of the item's packaging status or whether it was purchased at a duty-free outlet. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here.

Border officials have stated that anyone discovered with these prohibited items will need to either give them up at the border or face having them confiscated and disposed of.

"In serious cases those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000," they warned.

The government has implemented these measures to combat the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD), which has seen an increase in cases throughout Europe.

To safeguard British livestock health, farmer security, and the UK's food supply there is a ban on bringing meat from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal consumption, reports BristolLive.

Officials have stated that foot and mouth disease (FMD) poses no risk to humans and there are currently no cases in the UK.

However it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas.

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.

In response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year the UK Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep, and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products from these countries.

The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

Farming minister Daniel Zeichner said at the launch: "This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth.

"That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain's food security."

UK deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: "Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission."

He further emphasised the importance of vigilance and biosecurity, stating: "Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain's food security.

"This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion. I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained, and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

There are, however, a few exceptions to these stringent rules. For instance small quantities of infant milk, medical foods, and certain composite products such as chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits, and pasta are still permissible.

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