Personal meat and dairy import ban still in place

There are no imminent plans to lift a ban on personal imports of meat or dairy products to Jersey, a minister says.

The restrictions, preventing the importation of meat from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats and dairy products such as cheese, milk and yoghurt, have been in place since May last year. Meat or cheese sandwiches, cured meats and milk-based desserts are also included.

Confirmation of the continued ban came in a response to a written question to Environment Minister Steve Luce.

Luce said a number of "highly infectious diseases" remained present in several European countries. He also said maintaining the ban would "protect Jersey livestock" until the situation improved overseas.

The current rules came into place following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in parts of Europe, and were in line with similar moves in the UK and other Crown dependencies.

Deputy Hilary Jeune had asked if the embargo was due to be lifted and, if not, why not.

Responding, Luce made reference to a number of diseases currently circulating in Europe, including foot and mouth, lumpy skin disease and African swine fever.

None of these diseases are currently present in Jersey.

However, Luce said personal imports posed "a particular challenge for traceability".

He also said: "We continue to monitor the disease situation... and constantly review the information and disease risk.

"The intention is to lift the restrictions once the epidemiological situation in Europe improves, which may lead to acceptable risk for Jersey livestock population."

The UK government, which maintains its own ban, said it was necessary to "protect British farmers".

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