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Amended Copy - Under embargo until 00:01, 19 October 2009 - Holidaymakers advised "Don’t bring it back!"

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 16 October 2009

Travellers are being urged to check the rules on what foods they can and can’t bring back into the UK if they journey outside the EU.

Delicacies like halloumi cheese, shin chan and ghee might taste good whilst holidaying abroad but bringing them back to the UK can increase the risk of animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and Bird Flu entering the country.

The Government’s "Don’t bring it back!" campaign aims to increase awareness among travellers heading to countries outside the EU about what foods cannot be brought back. This is in order to minimise disease risk. Sticking to the rules will also avoid the inconvenience of being searched by Border Force Officers or even potentially prosecuted.

New Defra research1 has found that one in five Britons are unaware that restrictions exist on food items and one in three believe restrictions on food imports aren’t important.

Chris Pratt, Border Force Officer at Heathrow airport said: "Lots of people see celebrity chefs going abroad to discover new exotic dishes and want to recreate the experience at home. However, it’s an unnecessary risk to the whole country to bring back illegal foods especially when many of these food items can be bought legally in the UK."

Around 85 tonnes of illegal animal products was seized from travellers last year many of whom were either not aware of the rules or were confused about the differences in the personal import rules from outside and inside the EU. Food products seized include meat and dairy products, fish including shellfish, and honey.

Chris continues: "There are all kinds of people who break the rules. The most bizarre case was a gentleman who had 10kg of salami sewn into the lining of his jacket and he resembled the Michelin man! However, there are plenty of people who have unwittingly arrived back from their annual break and just didn’t realise the rules existed.

"We know travellers might be confused, complacent or simply unaware about the rules on what foods they can and cannot bring back. But these restrictions apply right across the EU and are vital to protect us all."

Travel expert and journalist Simon Calder is also supporting the ‘Don’t bring it back!’ campaign. He said: "It's worrying that many people returning home from holiday are unaware of the rules on bringing food into the UK and the reasons why the rules exist.

"There's quite enough stress in travel already without adding to your problems by bringing back something which may earn you the attention of Border Force Officers and a possible prosecution. One minute spent checking the rules for your destination before you go could save you hours of hassle on arrival back in the UK."

Key advice to travellers is as follows:

* When travelling outside the EU, remember there are strict rules about bringing foods back into the UK

* All meat and dairy products are banned and restrictions apply to certain other foodstuffs such as fish, shellfish, honey and certain fruits and vegetables

* Before travelling, use the ‘Can I bring it back?’ food-checker to see examples of local products which can and cannot be brought back from popular destinations outside the EU: www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback

For more information on importing food products from outside the EU visit: www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback

For more information, quotes, photos or interviews please contact:
Betty Nwosu or Kim Keegan

1 Survey conducted by OnePoll from 22 September to 28 September 2009 with 2000 UK respondents aged 16+

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Betty Nwosu
Phone: 020 7261 8849
betty.nwosu@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Kim Keegan
Phone: 020 7261 8682
kim.keegan@coi.gsi.gov.uk