In excess of 300kg of illegal meat and dairy products, detected in passenger luggage, has been seized by DAERA portal officials at Northern Ireland’s airports last month. A sample of these seizures have been tested at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) resulting in the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) DNA fragments.
Whilst this does not pose a significant threat to the animal health status of Northern Ireland nor the disease-free status from ASF, DAERA said it does reinforce the importance of the controls on personal imports of meat and dairy products.
“Imports of meat or meat products, milk and other dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU,” chief veterinary officer Dr Robert J Huey said.
“There are also strict controls on animal products that can be brought in from the EU, it is always advisable to check the rules before travel and refrain from bringing back animal products or plants that might be carrying pests or disease.
"Illegal products will be seized and destroyed. Furthermore, anyone detected in possession of prohibited items risks prosecution and a fine.”
ASF is a risk at the moment and can be spread by pigs, consuming contaminated pork or pork products. The disease has spread across Belgium, other European countries and South East Asia, including China.
Banned products
Personal imports of meat or meat products and milk/dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU. There are also strict controls on bringing the following products:
Potatoes.Plants.Fish.Shellfish.Honey.Eggs and egg products.Certain fruit and vegetables. Read more
Pig prices up 21% in Europe as African Swine Fever drives demand
In excess of 300kg of illegal meat and dairy products, detected in passenger luggage, has been seized by DAERA portal officials at Northern Ireland’s airports last month. A sample of these seizures have been tested at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) resulting in the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) DNA fragments.
Whilst this does not pose a significant threat to the animal health status of Northern Ireland nor the disease-free status from ASF, DAERA said it does reinforce the importance of the controls on personal imports of meat and dairy products.
“Imports of meat or meat products, milk and other dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU,” chief veterinary officer Dr Robert J Huey said.
“There are also strict controls on animal products that can be brought in from the EU, it is always advisable to check the rules before travel and refrain from bringing back animal products or plants that might be carrying pests or disease.
"Illegal products will be seized and destroyed. Furthermore, anyone detected in possession of prohibited items risks prosecution and a fine.”
ASF is a risk at the moment and can be spread by pigs, consuming contaminated pork or pork products. The disease has spread across Belgium, other European countries and South East Asia, including China.
Banned products
Personal imports of meat or meat products and milk/dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU. There are also strict controls on bringing the following products:
Potatoes.Plants.Fish.Shellfish.Honey.Eggs and egg products.Certain fruit and vegetables. Read more
Pig prices up 21% in Europe as African Swine Fever drives demand
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