Going unchecked
U.K. Border Force sometimes carries out spot bag checks on arrival at London St. Pancras but the vast majority of passengers go unchecked, meaning there is a low likelihood of any purchased products being caught on arrival in London unless they are openly touted.
On launching the controls on April 12, U.K. deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, Dr. Jorge Martin-Almagro, said they were “critical to limit the risk of foot-and-mouth disease incursion.”
Eurostar says it emails passengers before they travel warning them that they “can no longer bring” animal products including “cheese, cured meats or raw meats” into the U.K. due to temporary U.K. government restrictions.
A U.K. government spokesperson said: “This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth disease. We are working closely with Border Force, ports, airports and international travel operators, to increase awareness of the new restrictions including via prominent signs.”
The ban on personal imports was introduced following the detection of foot-and-mouth cases in Hungary and Germany earlier this year. But experts have warned that U.K. health officials lack the funds to enforce the rules, as POLITICO reported in April.
A 2001 outbreak in the U.K. saw six million cows and sheep slaughtered on farms and restrictions on access to the countryside introduced in a bid to halt the spread of the disease.
The estimated cost of the episode to the British economy was £8 billion.
