Around 5kg of illegally imported meat and cheese has been seized from two people arriving in Douglas.
The pair had travelled from Europe in a campervan.
It is the first seizure at Douglas since the Isle of Man introduced new rules banning the personal import of these products from EU countries, to protect Manx farms from foot-and-mouth disease.
More than 4kg of cooked meats and 11 packets of cheese (totalling 0.8kg) were confiscated by Customs and Immigration officers.
Restrictions
The import restrictions, introduced earlier this year in line with UK regulations, aim to protect Manx farms following recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in several European countries.
They make it illegal to bring common items such as sandwiches, cured meats and cheese from EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries for personal use.
The seized products will be held while the vehicle owners are formally contacted. If the matter proceeds to court, they could face a significant fine.
Dr Amy Beckett, the Isle of Man’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “There are currently no foot-and-mouth cases in the British Isles, and we’re acting to keep it that way.”
Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, added: “These enhanced restrictions are a crucial step in protecting our vital agricultural industry. I urge livestock keepers to exercise the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow strict biosecurity measures, and report any suspicions to us immediately.”
Anyone who suspects foot-and-mouth disease should call DEFA immediately on 01624 685844.
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