The United Kingdom government has imposed restrictions on the import of certain food products from Europe due to the risk of foot-and-mouth disease, officials confirmed on Monday.

Under the new regulation, travelers and businesses are prohibited from bringing cheese, ham, salami, chorizo, and other dairy or meat products from affected European countries into the UK. The decision follows recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia.

UK authorities emphasized that the move is necessary to protect domestic livestock from potential infection. The ban primarily targets personal imports, while commercial imports are allowed under strict veterinary checks and certification requirements.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stated: “The restriction will remain in effect as long as any biological risk exists, however minimal, to safeguard British agriculture.” They also referred to the 2001 outbreak, which became one of Britain’s most severe agricultural crises, resulting in the culling of more than six million animals.

The government urged residents and travelers to comply with the new measures, highlighting that the policy is essential to prevent a repeat of past disasters. (ILKHA)