On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 14:43:03 +0100, Janet Baraclough
wrote:

The message
from Nick Wagg contains these words:

PK wrote:

Same bureaucratic jobs worths who try to prevent importation of meat
products by similar means no doubt?

...and tried unsuccessfully to keep Japanese knotweed out of the UK.

?? IIRC JK was a deliberate introduction, as a gardenworthy plant.

PK is correct, the illegal import of meat is a serious concern since
it may carry farm animal diseases. In other countries, restrictions on
the accidental or deliberate movement of animal or plant material which
can cause environmental damage or infect food production are very tight
and for good reason.

Except most borders of mainland Europe are open.

A long time ago, we had a 5lb pack of Dutch bacon confiscated by the
UK customs, not because there was a health issue, but because we
didn't have an import license. It was made very clear that an
individual applying for an import license wouldn't succeed.
The Dutch bacon was in a sealed pack and identical to those which one
of the big UK supermarkets imported at the time, we bought it from
their Dutch supplier.

Most uncooked food stuffs including butter and cheese are on the of
forbidden imports.


Given this country's experience of imported problems and their
devastating ecological and economic impact, we should take better care.

I don't think there was any actual proof that the F&M outbreak was
caused by imported food. Wasn't it just a theory?
--
Martin