DEFRA warning to easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 passengers over duty free ban

DEFRA warning to easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 passengers over duty free banA new response highlighted how passengers can fall foul of £5,000 fines - and having their lunch seized and destroyedCommentsTravelBen Hurst13:09, 21 Apr 2026View ImagePeople arriving UK Border and passport control could get £5,000 fines for bringing banned food - even bought at duty free(Image: Getty)The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given an update for anyone thinking of bringing food into the UK on their flight. Officials have restated rules to stop an outbreak of devastating foot and mouth disease in the UK after a number of cases found in Europe - the latest being in Greece and Cyprus last month.‌As it stands any passengers using airlines such as TUI, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and Jet2 will have their bags checked - and have certain food seized and destroyed - including some bought at duty free on the trip. Travellers are not able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use.‌DEFRA said: “This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.” A new outbreak has been found in Cyprus aand Tory‌Dr Neil Hudson asked Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds in a new parliamentary written question if any extra measures are in place: “In light of the Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Cyprus, what additional biosecurity measures are in place for people travelling to the UK from Cyprus?”In reply Dame Angela Eagle Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Defra banned personal imports of pig and ruminant meat and dairy products from the EU into England in April 2025. The ban remains in place. Equivalent measures are in place in Wales and Scotland.”READ MORE: EasyJet responds to 'jet f...