Overview

• The UK government has banned personal imports of ruminant meat and dairy products from the EU and specific European countries as of April 12, 2025, to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
• The restrictions apply to products such as beef, pork, lamb, goat meat, and dairy items like cheese, butter, and yoghurt, regardless of packaging or purchase location.
• Exemptions include up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, medical foods, and infant food, provided they meet specific packaging and storage criteria.
• Border Force is actively enforcing the ban, with prohibited items being seized and destroyed, and undeclared goods risking fines up to £5,000 or prosecution.
• The UK remains free of foot-and-mouth disease, with no domestic cases reported, while outbreaks this year have been confirmed in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia.