Amended Copy - Under
embargo until 00:01, 19 October 2009 - Holidaymakers advised
"Don’t bring it back!"
Travellers are
being urged to check the rules on what foods they can and can’t
bring back into the UK if they journey outside the EU.
Delicacies like halloumi cheese, shin chan and ghee might taste
good whilst holidaying abroad but bringing them back to the UK can
increase the risk of animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease
and Bird Flu entering the country.
The Government’s "Don’t bring it back!"
campaign aims to increase awareness among travellers heading to
countries outside the EU about what foods cannot be brought back.
This is in order to minimise disease risk. Sticking to the rules
will also avoid the inconvenience of being searched by Border
Force Officers or even potentially prosecuted.
New Defra research1 has found that one in five Britons are
unaware that restrictions exist on food items and one in three
believe restrictions on food imports aren’t important.
Chris Pratt, Border Force Officer at Heathrow airport said:
"Lots of people see celebrity chefs going abroad to
discover new exotic dishes and want to recreate the experience at
home. However, it’s an unnecessary risk to the whole country to
bring back illegal foods especially when many of these food items
can be bought legally in the UK."
Around 85 tonnes of illegal animal products was seized from
travellers last year many of whom were either not aware of the
rules or were confused about the differences in the personal
import rules from outside and inside the EU. Food products seized
include meat and dairy products, fish including shellfish, and honey.
Chris continues: "There are all kinds of people who
break the rules. The most bizarre case was a gentleman who had
10kg of salami sewn into the lining of his jacket and he resembled
the Michelin man! However, there are plenty of people who have
unwittingly arrived back from their annual break and just didn’t
realise the rules existed.
"We know travellers might be confused, complacent or
simply unaware about the rules on what foods they can and cannot
bring back. But these restrictions apply right across the EU and
are vital to protect us all."
Travel expert and journalist Simon Calder is also supporting the
‘Don’t bring it back!’ campaign. He said: "It's
worrying that many people returning home from holiday are unaware
of the rules on bringing food into the UK and the reasons why the
rules exist.
"There's quite enough stress in travel already
without adding to your problems by bringing back something which
may earn you the attention of Border Force Officers and a possible
prosecution. One minute spent checking the rules for your
destination before you go could save you hours of hassle on
arrival back in the UK."
Key advice to travellers is as follows:
* When travelling outside the EU, remember there are strict rules
about bringing foods back into the UK
* All meat and dairy products are banned and restrictions apply
to certain other foodstuffs such as fish, shellfish, honey and
certain fruits and vegetables
* Before travelling, use the ‘Can I bring it back?’ food-checker
to see examples of local products which can and cannot be brought
back from popular destinations outside the EU: www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback
For more information on importing food products from outside the
EU visit: www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback
For more information, quotes, photos or interviews please
contact:
Betty Nwosu or Kim Keegan
1 Survey conducted by OnePoll from 22 September to 28 September
2009 with 2000 UK respondents aged 16+
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Betty Nwosu
Phone: 020 7261 8849
betty.nwosu@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Kim Keegan
Phone: 020 7261 8682
kim.keegan@coi.gsi.gov.uk