The UK has long been one of the most popular travel destinations for Irish tourists and it's easy to see why. With quick, affordable flights from nearly every Irish airport, hopping across the pond for a weekend break, shopping trip or football match is often easier than travelling across Ireland itself.

However, those heading to England, Scotland or Wales need to be aware of new restrictions introduced by the UK government last month that could impact what you pack - especially when it comes to food.

The new travel rules, which came into effect on April 12, are part of a temporary but strict biosecurity measure put in place to protect British agriculture from foot and mouth disease outbreaks recently reported in parts of continental Europe.

These regulations apply to all travellers from the European Union, including those from Ireland, and they ban the import of certain animal products, even if they're for personal use, and even if they're packaged or have been purchased in duty-free.

The UK government is concerned that traces of infected food, even in luggage or improperly disposed of, could pose a threat to livestock.

Here's a full list of the 15 banned food items you can no longer bring with you into England, Scotland or Wales:

  1. Pork

  2. Beef

  3. Lamb

  4. Mutton

  5. Goat

  6. Venison

  7. Products made from these meats (e.g. sausages, cured meats, pate)

  8. Sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products

  9. Milk

  10. Cheese

  11. Butter

  12. Yoghurt

  13. Other dairy products (e.g. cream, soft cheeses)

  14. Pet food made from restricted meats (e.g. pork-based dog food)

  15. Other animal-derived products not meant for human consumption (e.g. animal chews)

You can still bring in certain food items, such as:

  • Bread (but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy)

  • Cakes (without fresh cream)

  • Biscuits

  • Chocolate and confectionery (as long as they don't contain large amounts of unprocessed dairy)

  • Pasta and noodles (but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products)

  • Packaged soup, stock cubes, and flavourings

  • Processed and packaged plant products, such as pre-packaged salads and frozen vegetables

  • Food supplements that contain only small amounts of animal products (e.g. fish oil capsules)

Also allowed are up to 2kg per person of:

  • Powdered infant milk and infant food

  • Special medical dietary foods

  • Medical pet food

These rules do not apply when travelling to the north of Ireland - only to England, Scotland and Wales.

If you accidently pack a banned items, it's important to declare it at customs. If you do, Border Force will confiscate and destroy it with no further action.

However, if you fail to declare a prohibited item, you could face a fine of up to £5,000 (€5,922) or in serious cases prosecution.

Border Force officers are also allowed to seize any food products they believe were brought into the country illegally, exceed allowed quantities of restricted items, or are cross-contaminated, for example if blood from meat leaks onto your clothing or bags.

You can find out more information on the UK Government's website here.

This comes as Ireland's agriculture officials are on high alert after Slovakia became the third EU nation this year to report incidences of the dreaded foot and mouth disease (FMD). This highly infectious virus wreaks havoc on cloven-hooved animals like cows, pigs, and sheep.

Although FMD does not threaten human health, its impact on farming is severe, causing significant production losses along with restrictions on exporting live animals, meat and dairy. Should an outbreak happen within Ireland, authorities have promised to rapidly enforce stern measures such as widespread culling, strict containment zones and countrywide bans on animal movement.

In March, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said: "The news of three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia today is very concerning. I know this is a terrible blow to Slovak farmers and their agri-food industry. Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus I urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to continue to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock.

"Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment. It is especially important that if you have visited farms, wildlife areas or zoos in FMD-affected countries, that you avoid all contact with livestock or wildlife for at least 14 days following arrival in Ireland."

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