In order to protect the health of its citizens and visitors to the United Kingdom, UK, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, a government agency regulating food items in Britain, has banned the importation of some food items from countries outside the European Union. It has been rightly observed that the UK is Nigerians second home away from home. Millions of both legal and illegal immigrants find their way into the Queen’s country annually. But those keen on bringing bush meat, snails in their shells, stock cubes and hot beverages containing milk should think twice before doing so. For the sake of safety, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, HMRC, in partnership with the UK Border Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, are informing travelers that it is illegal to bring these products from countries outside the European Union.
Ayesha Owusu-Barnaby, Head of Marketing Campaigns, HMRC said that there are strict controls on what food products one bring into the UK.
The reason is that certain food items may carry pests and diseases, which can cause serious damage to the UK environment and farming industry. Travelers caught with banned food products will face long delays. “Evidence over the past five years suggests that travelers from Nigeria have not been aware of the rules concerning the importation of food into the UK and have been bringing in banned items in their luggage,” she said.
According to her, the campaign is aimed at raising awareness for travelers to check the new law before traveling.
The UK authorities are taking this measure to help reduce the risk of pests and animal diseases entering the country to avert adverse effects on the environment, farming industry and the economy. It is hoped that the Nigerian community will understand the importance of complying with this directive.
The HMRC has overall responsibility for customs controls on imports into the UK while the UKBA enforces these controls, including detecting illegal goods, at the ports and airports. Also, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was created in June 2001 to drive forward the UK Government’s programmes on the environment, food and rural affairs.