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That's au revoir to bringing back any camembert or confit de canard as of today.

(91 Posts)
escaped Sat 12-Apr-25 10:19:03

From Saturday 12 April, it will be illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. Those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.
Wine is still OK! 😁

The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe.

NotSpaghetti Thu 17-Apr-25 23:35:39

I don't know Mollygo - there's a link in the article to what NI are doing. I'm afraid I didn't read it.

escaped Fri 18-Apr-25 08:03:27

Some foods like the comté cheese I bring back are 36 months old, so were made such a long time ago that I can't really see a problem. (The outbreak of FMD first started in Berlin three months ago, I don't think France has been affected.) Also the French UHT creamy milk I bring back in packs of six for my coffees has been heated to an exceptionally high temperature of 135°C to kill off every bug known to man and beast. Unopened cartons can last for years.

I guess it has to be a temporary blanket ban on all dairy products, or how else could they control it? I'm surprised our vehicle which had been traipsing round farms in rural Normandy and Brittany didn't have to drive over disinfected mats to access the car ferry, but I repeat there was a complete lack of attention being paid.

mrsmeldrew Fri 18-Apr-25 09:28:57

*Blood Pressure Alert*

I am a member of a caravan forum with many members and we also visit France twice a year.

I am afraid most of us take meat and dairy into France. None of us have ever been searched.

We are always searched in Portsmouth, on our return, for stowaways.

Nannylovesshopping Fri 18-Apr-25 10:00:41

I shall miss bringing home my favourite Portuguese cheese, also tomatoes and beetroot, all very superior to those I can buy here, obvious answer, eat more there😳🤣

SusieB50 Fri 18-Apr-25 11:27:12

I have just messaged my DD , they are travelling back tomorrow from France . Too late ! They went shopping yesterday and will have to eat a large amount of Comte tonight..

escaped Fri 18-Apr-25 11:48:46

SusieB50

I have just messaged my DD , they are travelling back tomorrow from France . Too late ! They went shopping yesterday and will have to eat a large amount of Comte tonight..

How are people abroad meant to know?
Maybe the authorities should hand out leaflets at the ferry ports, the customs officers would then have enough goodies to last them for months!
I hope your DD has a feast tonight, SusieB50. 😋

There just isn't the manpower to check all the vehicles.

escaped Fri 18-Apr-25 11:51:51

Nannylovesshopping

I shall miss bringing home my favourite Portuguese cheese, also tomatoes and beetroot, all very superior to those I can buy here, obvious answer, eat more there😳🤣

Good solution Nannylovesshopping. But what about the scales when we get home?!

Here's a selection of a few things I've brought back this time, though I'd still have preferred cheese butter, UHT milk and salamis! Should keep me going until I return next month to replenish. Shameful to think I've been doing this for over 50 years. It's a habit.
Oh yes, plus a special Easter shell chocolate from a wonderful chocolate factory we visited.

escaped Fri 18-Apr-25 11:55:12

Photos - hopefully

Mollygo Fri 18-Apr-25 12:09:58

DD and partner flying in from France yesterday were not checked at customs on either end.

Nanato3 Fri 18-Apr-25 13:50:57

Nannylovesshopping

I shall miss bringing home my favourite Portuguese cheese, also tomatoes and beetroot, all very superior to those I can buy here, obvious answer, eat more there😳🤣

As to the tomatoes and beetroot have you tried growing your own ?
Own grown tomatoes are delicious, and smell divine.

NotSpaghetti Fri 18-Apr-25 15:01:16

I think you can buy Amora products in the UK... it's a Unilever brand I believe...

Aldom Fri 18-Apr-25 15:24:37

My family always have Amora products in the 'fridge.

escaped Fri 18-Apr-25 15:50:06

Yes, I can buy the 415g Amora mayonnaise bottles here on Amazon, but it's £8.49 each. I paid €2,34, that's about £2 for the same squirty bottle in France.
Also I get points on my French loyalty card which has a brochure of amazing gifts!
Win, win!

Nannylovesshopping Fri 18-Apr-25 22:44:02

Nanato3

Nannylovesshopping

I shall miss bringing home my favourite Portuguese cheese, also tomatoes and beetroot, all very superior to those I can buy here, obvious answer, eat more there😳🤣

As to the tomatoes and beetroot have you tried growing your own ?
Own grown tomatoes are delicious, and smell divine.

Am in Portugal a lot of the time, so not here to water growing veg, my garden is my spaniels domain and it shows😳🤣

Allira Fri 18-Apr-25 22:50:39

escaped

Photos - hopefully

It's a long time since I had any Galettes de Bretagne. They were something we always brought home.