Menu
03/07/2023
Travellers Reminded Of Import Restrictions
Anyone travelling abroad this summer has been reminded to not bring any animal or plant products back into Northern Ireland.
Issuing the reminder, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said that imports of meat or meat products, milk and other dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU. There are also strict controls on animal products that can be brought in from the EU. Always check the rules before travel and refrain from bringing back animal products or plants that may be carrying pests or disease. Illegal products will be seized and destroyed. Furthermore, anyone detected to be in possession of prohibited items risks prosecution and a fine. Please do not bring any of these products back to Northern Ireland.
There is currently a specific concern over the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is largely attributed to pigs consuming contaminated pork or pork products. ASF is a highly contagious and usually fatal viral disease of pigs which is having disastrous impacts on the pig industries in Europe and Asia. Although the disease does not affect humans and there is no food safety risk associated with meat, an outbreak in Northern Ireland would have a devastating impact on our pork and pig industries. It would severely affect pig welfare and the ability to trade internationally in pigs and pork products.
The economic consequences of a domestic ASF outbreak are estimated to be major, with the total costs of an outbreak in commercial pig premises in the UK estimated at approximately £120 million. There would also be considerable implications for animal health and welfare, not to mention the potential mental health impacts for their keepers.
Movement of people and vehicles represent likely risk pathways for the ASF virus and is a known cause of the continued spread in Europe. The virus survives well in both raw and cured meats and personal imports of pork products in passenger luggage may be discarded in areas where domestic pigs could ingest it.
Please assist in protecting Northern Ireland against the risk of introducing ASF through contaminated pork meat or pork products in passenger luggage or vehicles.
The message is very simple if you are returning from holiday - 'Don't risk it - leave it behind!'
Issuing the reminder, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said that imports of meat or meat products, milk and other dairy products are banned from most countries outside the EU. There are also strict controls on animal products that can be brought in from the EU. Always check the rules before travel and refrain from bringing back animal products or plants that may be carrying pests or disease. Illegal products will be seized and destroyed. Furthermore, anyone detected to be in possession of prohibited items risks prosecution and a fine. Please do not bring any of these products back to Northern Ireland.
There is currently a specific concern over the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is largely attributed to pigs consuming contaminated pork or pork products. ASF is a highly contagious and usually fatal viral disease of pigs which is having disastrous impacts on the pig industries in Europe and Asia. Although the disease does not affect humans and there is no food safety risk associated with meat, an outbreak in Northern Ireland would have a devastating impact on our pork and pig industries. It would severely affect pig welfare and the ability to trade internationally in pigs and pork products.
The economic consequences of a domestic ASF outbreak are estimated to be major, with the total costs of an outbreak in commercial pig premises in the UK estimated at approximately £120 million. There would also be considerable implications for animal health and welfare, not to mention the potential mental health impacts for their keepers.
Movement of people and vehicles represent likely risk pathways for the ASF virus and is a known cause of the continued spread in Europe. The virus survives well in both raw and cured meats and personal imports of pork products in passenger luggage may be discarded in areas where domestic pigs could ingest it.
Please assist in protecting Northern Ireland against the risk of introducing ASF through contaminated pork meat or pork products in passenger luggage or vehicles.
The message is very simple if you are returning from holiday - 'Don't risk it - leave it behind!'
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 December 2008
NI Pork Processing Resumes
No pigs from Northern Ireland were fed contaminated meal it has been revealed. The Food Standards Agency said no dioxins have been found in pork from the province and as a result, the processing of pigs has resumed at Northern Ireland's biggest pork factory.
NI Pork Processing Resumes
No pigs from Northern Ireland were fed contaminated meal it has been revealed. The Food Standards Agency said no dioxins have been found in pork from the province and as a result, the processing of pigs has resumed at Northern Ireland's biggest pork factory.
10 December 2008
Tyrone Link In PCB Contamination Probed
There's a cross-border probe underway today as the police in Northern Ireland help gardaí investigate apparent contamination of animal feed which sparked a major health alert over Irish pork products - and later cast a shadow over beef products too.
Tyrone Link In PCB Contamination Probed
There's a cross-border probe underway today as the police in Northern Ireland help gardaí investigate apparent contamination of animal feed which sparked a major health alert over Irish pork products - and later cast a shadow over beef products too.
22 October 2001
Local pork processor has new owner following £35M deal
Northern Ireland's largest pork processing plant has a new owner following the acquisition of Malton Foods by Grampian Country for £35m.
Local pork processor has new owner following £35M deal
Northern Ireland's largest pork processing plant has a new owner following the acquisition of Malton Foods by Grampian Country for £35m.
04 February 2013
Traces Of Pork DNA Found In NI Firms Halal Products
Northern Irish manufacturer McColgan's Quality Foods has been identified as the source of halal food found to contain traces of pork DNA. 3663 has said it will no longer source halal products from the from after its beef pastry products labelled halal and supplied to prisons in England and Wales tested positive for pork DNA.
Traces Of Pork DNA Found In NI Firms Halal Products
Northern Irish manufacturer McColgan's Quality Foods has been identified as the source of halal food found to contain traces of pork DNA. 3663 has said it will no longer source halal products from the from after its beef pastry products labelled halal and supplied to prisons in England and Wales tested positive for pork DNA.
09 December 2008
Feed Taint Crisis Hits Beef
There was confusion this morning as it emerged that eight cattle herds in Northern Ireland have been fed contaminated feed from the Irish Republic.
Feed Taint Crisis Hits Beef
There was confusion this morning as it emerged that eight cattle herds in Northern Ireland have been fed contaminated feed from the Irish Republic.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
