16 MARCH 2005
NEWS
RELEASE
‘IF
IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT’
PERSONAL FOOD IMPORTS CAMPAIGN
COMING TO REGENTS PARK
A new government campaign to highlight
the risks from foods people bring back from abroad is coming to the London Central
Mosque and Islamic Centre in Regents Park on Friday 18 March.
The
aim of the campaign, launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra), is to raise awareness of the foods that cannot be legally
brought back to the UK from outside the EU.
The
campaign highlights the rules and restrictions that people need to know before
they travel abroad, so that they do not run the risk of breaking the law.
A
mobile information unit will be parked in the London Central Mosque and
Islamic Centre, 146 Park Road, London, NW8 from 12pm to 2.30pm. Staff will be on hand with up-to-date information on
the campaign and the laws behind it. Visitors will be able to view a new public
information film and explore a new website about the campaign. Leaflets and
posters will be available in several languages including Arabic, Chinese,
Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and English.
Dr Yunes Teinaz, Hackney Principal Environmental Health Officer and advisor to the London Central Mosque, said, “It is vital that we are all made aware of the regulations regarding personal food imports as a great number of travellers tend to bring back food products that have been given to them as gifts by family or friends. It is great that information is available to people of many different backgrounds and cultures”.
London Central Mosque
and Islamic Centre in Regents Park is
the 34th stop on a national tour by the road-show, which finishes at
the end of this month. Food and Farming
Minister Larry Whitty said:
“People
may not see any harm in bringing food back to the UK when they return from a
holiday or a business trip, but some foods may contain pests and diseases that
threaten the health of our agricultural crops and livestock, as well as public
health. Because of these risks, there are strict restrictions on foodstuffs
brought back from countries outside the EU.
“I
would urge everyone to check the rules before they leave the UK. If you are
caught breaking them, then you may face long delays, prosecution and a fine.”
.
---Ends---
Notes to Editors:
·
Controls on food
imports are essential to protect public health and livestock and the government
is committed to reducing the risks of disease entering the food chain via
illegally imported food products. Measures to raise public awareness and
improve preventative measures at the UK border and inland are backed by £25
million from 2003-06.
·
The current
legislation makes it illegal to bring back meat and milk-based products for
personal use into the UK from countries outside the EU. Other restrictions
depend largely on the country you are travelling from, the type of food
products brought back and the quantity. Enforcement activity has also been
stepped up at ports and airports. In 2003/04, over 16,000 seizures were made of
illegally imported food, amounting to over 180 tonnes.
·
For detailed
information on products that can/cannot be brought into the UK, call the Defra
helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or check the database on the Defra website at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/illegali/default.htm
·
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for
policy issues relating to imports of products of animal origin, plants and
plant products.
For further information about this event and if you would like the unit to
visit your local area, please contact Media Moguls on 020 8902 5575 or:
Sarbjit Atwal 07985 649 586 sarb@mediamoguls.com