Every year around
20,000 British Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj, but many may be
unwittingly bringing illegal food items back into the country on
their return.
More than 50 people a day have illegal foods seized at ports and
airports when entering the UK and the Government is asking Muslims
returning from the Hajj to leave meat and dairy behind in Saudi
Arabia. It is against the law to bring personal imports of any
meat and dairy products into the UK from most countries outside
the EU.
Food Minister Jim Paice said:
“I wish all British Muslims a safe trip as they complete this
special pilgrimage, but I want to remind them that in bringing
back meat or dairy products they could be bringing back disease.
“We need to make sure we protect our crops and livestock, as well
as people’s health – which is why we want to raise awareness and
dispel myths about personal food imports rules.”
More than 21,200 illegal personal food items, such as meat and
dairy products, brought in from non-EU countries were seized by UK
enforcement agencies such as the UK Border Agency last year, under
EU rules intended to protect people, livestock and crops from
exotic pests and diseases.
The UK Border Agency has deployed officers to further target high
risk routes for illegal meat and dairy products carried by
incoming travellers in line with the Government’s priority to
protect UK agriculture from harmful outbreaks of animal diseases.
The rules on what food products can and cannot be brought into
the UK are available at: http://foodimports.direct.gov.uk/middle-east.html.
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Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Amanda Waller
Phone: 020 7238 5608
amanda.waller@defra.gsi.gov.uk