Dutch officials confiscate ham sandwiches from British drivers Politics

Dutch television news has aired images of customs officials confiscating ham sandwiches from drivers arriving by ferry from the UK under post-Brexit rules banning personal imports of meat and dairy products into the EU.

Officials wearing high-visibility jackets tell truck drivers and trucks caught at the Hook of Holland ferry terminal that, since Brexit, “it is no longer allowed to bring certain foods to Europe, such as meat, fruit, vegetables. , fish, that sort of thing. “

To a bewildered driver with several sandwiches wrapped in tin paper who asked if he could deliver the meat and keep only the bread, a customs officer replied, “No, everything will be confiscated. Welcome to Brexit, sir, I’m sorry. “

The ban went into effect on New Year’s Day at the end of the Brexit transition period, and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said travelers should “use, consume or dispose of.” of prohibited articles before or before the border.

“From 1 January 2021, you will not be able to bring POAO (products of animal origin) such as those containing meat or dairy products (for example, a ham and cheese sandwich) to the EU,” says the Defra guide. for commercial drivers.

The European Commission says the ban is necessary because meat and dairy products may contain pathogens that cause animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or swine fever and “continue to pose a real threat to animal health throughout the union.” .

Dutch customs also posted a photograph of food items ranging from breakfast cereals to oranges that officials had confiscated at the ferry terminal, adding: “As of January 1, no more food can be brought from the United Kingdom”.

The customs service added: “So get ready if you travel to the Netherlands from the UK and spread the word. That way we avoid wasting food and together we make sure the controls are faster. “