British tourists face tough new travel rules as government bids to stop spread of disease that’s sweeping through Europe

By GETHIN HICKS

Published: 16:41 BST, 12 April 2025 | Updated: 17:01 BST, 12 April 2025

Strict new travel restrictions have been put in place by the Government in an attempt to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. 

Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which effects animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs.

It can be detrimental to farming and agriculture, but has not broken out in the United Kingdom since 2007. 

Now, however, fears have arisen that foot-and-mouth could reach Britain once again.

After cases of the disease were recently recorded in Hungary, Germany, Austria and Slovakia, the British Government have this week placed a ban on ‘bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain’.

Brits must refrain from bringing dairy products from certain animals back to the country if they are returning from the EU, EFTA States, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. 

The move comes after more than 3,500 cattle were slaughtered in Hungary’s northern county of Gyor-Moson-Sopron in an attempt to stop the disease’s spread.

Officials in Austria have too taken measures by closing 21 crossings into the country.

Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which effects animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs

It can have a detrimental effect on farming and agriculture, but has not broken out in the United Kingdom since 2007

The Government has now banned holidaymakers from returning to the United Kingdom with meats from the EU 

Speaking after the ban which follows initial restrictions put in place in January, farming minister Daniel Zeichner told The Times: ‘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 prevents the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.’

Jose Martin-Almagro, the UK’s deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, urged livestock keepers to ‘continue exercising the utmost 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.’

And president of the National Farmers’ Union, Tom Bradshaw, called the recent outbreak in Europe ‘very worrying’.

He too urged the Government to impose ‘stricter border controls’ and ensure passengers are aware of the ban.

Farming minister Daniel Zeichner said the Government will do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop the spread of the disease to the UK

The last significant outbreak of the disease in Britain in 2001 prompted a huge crisis agriculturally 

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

Foot-and-mouth does not pose any threat to humans but is a highly contagious virus which can cause livestock to go lame. 

The last significant outbreak of it in Britain in 2001 prompted a huge crisis agriculturally.

After 2,000 cases of the disease broke out, more than six million cows and sheep were slaughtered to try and stop its spread.

The crisis is estimated to have cost the country around £8 billion.

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British tourists face tough new travel rules as government bids to stop spread of disease that’s sweeping through Europe

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