From 27 September. The United Kingdom (UK) has restricted the import of pork products for personal use on September 27, 2010. The UK prohibits the importation of pork products which are not packaged in the manufacturer's packaging, and limits the weight of products that can be carried. The restrictions apply to imports of pigmeat products from European Union (EU) countries, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, when carried in personal luggage or by courier or postal services.

The new requirements only allow the importation into the UK of pork products that:

• are produced and packed in the original packaging labelled by the producer;

• the total weight of the products imported per person does not exceed 2 kg.

It is essential that those travelling to the UK familiarise themselves with the new requirements and strictly comply with the rules governing the importation of pigmeat products.

The tightening of these rules is linked to the threat of the spread of African swine fever (ACF). By introducing these restrictions, the UK authorities aim to reduce the potential risk of the spread of ASF into the country and to protect the domestic pig population and the pig meat industry.