A Government prohibition on individuals bringing food from the European Union into the UK has been prolonged, ministers have announced. The restrictions mean that if border and customs officers discover the items, which many purchase at duty free, they will be seized, destroyed and the individual could face a fine.

The ban impacts anyone travelling into Great Britain – and so people flying with major carriers like Ryanair, Jet2, British Airways, Easyjet and Wizz need to take note and check their luggage.

The measures to prevent the transmission of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following an increasing number of outbreaks across Europe will remain in force into 2026, it has now been confirmed. Travellers are prohibited from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, along with dairy products, from EU nations into Great Britain for personal consumption, to safeguard the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.

This encompasses bringing items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – irrespective of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been purchased at duty free.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced the ban would stay in place. Labour’s Dr Rosena Allin-Khan asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds: “Whether her Department plans to end temporary restrictions on the import of (a) meat, (b) dairy and (c) animal products from the European Union in the context of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s recognition of all European Union member states as free from foot-and-mouth disease.”

Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), confirmed the ban remains in effect: “Restrictions on commercial imports of certain meat, dairy and animal products from Slovakia in response to foot and mouth disease (FMD) remain in place pending UK recognition of FMD freedom.”

“Restrictions on personal imports of certain meat, dairy and animal products from the EU will remain in place while the biosecurity risk remains. As well as FMD, these measures mitigate against incursions of other animal diseases circulating in the EU, including African swine fever, sheep pox and goat pox, peste des petits ruminants and lumpy skin disease.”

Restrictions on meat, dairy and animal products for human consumption

You cannot bring in any of the following:

1. cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
2. pork
3. beef
4. lamb
5. mutton
6. goat
7. venison
8. other products made from these meats, for example, sausages

While FMD poses no threat to humans and there are no cases in the UK, it is a highly infectious viral disease affecting 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 lead to substantial economic losses due to production deficits in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy.

The Government has already prohibited personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.

The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in to Great Britain. When the ban was announced, Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “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.”

Information for travellers entering GB

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated: “It is illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.

“Detailed information is available for the public which sets out a limited set of exemptions from these rules. For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.

“Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.”