States 'monitoring' UK ban on EU meat and cheese
Getty Creative StockA temporary UK ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products from the EU is being monitored by Jersey's government, officials have said.
The UK government announced the restrictions on Wednesday, in a bid to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) from Europe. Guernsey has also urged EU passengers not to bring in restricted products.
The States of Jersey's Veterinary Team said it was "monitoring the situation" and that it was "in contact with the authorities" in the UK and other Channel Islands.
The veterinary team did not confirm whether a similar ban could be introduced in Jersey but said the rules were "under constant review and may change at any time".
The list of restricted products includes:
- pork
- beef
- lamb
- mutton
- goat
- venison
- other products made from these meats, for example sausages
- milk and dairy products like butter, cheese and yoghurt
States of Guernsey veterinary officers and the Guernsey Border Agency have asked people not to import any meat or dairy products for personal use or consumption into the Bailiwick from the EU.
The restrictions apply regardless of whether the goods are packed, packaged, or purchased from duty free stores.
FMD is a highly infectious virus that causes blisters inside an animal's mouth and under their hooves, and can cause lameness and problems feeding.
It causes no risk to humans and there are currently no cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK.
Any products of animal origin, like meat and dairy, could potentially be contaminated with FMD.
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