Can't Take Dairy & Meat into France!

[AscariAl]

As mentioned in my other thread, this is our first trip abroad in the motorhome. We have just become aware that we are not allowed to take a lot of food items into France. Ordinarily this might not be a problem as there are supermarkets in Calais, but we are travelling out next Sunday. Aren't all shops closed on Sunday's in France?

Do other people abide by these rules and not take any food into France, or is it one of those rules that is not enforced? Or do we have to hide food items under the driver seat

 

[Hawkstone]

I take enough for a day or so then shop over there. As I have often said most of my stuff is from Aldi or Lidl, with exception of a couple if things, most if it came from Europe in the first place. I don’t bring anything back because we have usually eaten it all

 

[hja]

Do these rules also prohibit dog food? Appreciate you could pick up on the other side, but our dog is on forthglade and not sure if it’s sold in France or general availability. Don’t fancy sharing a van with him if we have to give him something different without transitioning!

Yes it does apply.

 

[pelican]

Follow the countries rule afterall you are a guest
Don't break the rules as soon as you get there!

 

[Purrfecttune]

If you want to smuggle an immigrant hide them in your fridge

 

[Rapido666F]

Illegal food in your fridge: claim you are ignorant.
Illegal food hidden somewhere: try to prove you are not a smuggler acting with intent.

WHY do people think it's ok for them to break the law if it's only in a small way and if the chances of being caught are slim?
AND why would anyone want to leave their gas supply switched on, causing a potential life-threatening situation in an emergency? (Perhaps to keep their illegal dairy and meat products cold in their fridge?)

 

[Ingwe]

Not being self-righteous or anything but my understanding is that the prohibition is not capricious or trivial but because of the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease. Therefore it isn’t a matter of being caught or not getting caught but complying with a sensible health issue.

Not judging, just a comment.

 

[pelican]

Illegal food in your fridge: claim you are ignorant.
Illegal food hidden somewhere: try to prove you are not a smuggler acting with intent.

WHY do people think it's ok for them to break the law if it's only in a small way and if the chances of being caught are slim?
AND why would anyone want to leave their gas supply switched on, causing a potential life-threatening situation in an emergency? (Perhaps to keep their illegal dairy and meat products cold in their fridge?)

Ywmes there are some irritating little twotz about.

 

[Carpmart]

I go to France twice a year carp fishing, we're not allowed to take carp bait (boilies) as they contain meat, fish and dairy, however everyone does including food. The only crossing I would be cautious of is into St Malo as that is their customs training port and I've heard of anglers getting bait confiscated. Had the van opened at Dover and Newhaven and they're not interested in food or fishing bait.

I’m always amazed when I’m crossing on a carp trip how interested they are in the camo brigade in their vans… disproportionately pulled in my experience.

 

[Jonno1103]

Right I see so, the day after the U.K. held a referendum every local butcher, baker & candlestick maker, every U.K. supermarket... including a couple of certain German companies, plus all of the European owned food manufacturers based on our shores suddenly decided to produce different quality food did they?

No, they didn't. It's a load of rubbish, it's politics.

The EU are not 'concerned' about the individual bringing over foodstuff in their motorhome or travel fridge/freezer for their own personal consumption. They are 'concerned' about food in bulk which could enter their foodchain.

If it's in the fridge at home it goes into the fridge in the motorhome and in 30 years the next time it's checked will be the first.

It's a bit like all of the van owners who insist that a blue water hose is imperative... but never clean their tanks.

Eh, I wonder if the next EU customs officer I hand a chilled bottle of water to in 30c+ heat refuses it because it has Highland Spring on the label?

 

[CAB96]

Not being self-righteous or anything but my understanding is that the prohibition is not capricious or trivial but because of the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease. Therefore it isn’t a matter of being caught or not getting caught but complying with a sensible health issue.

Not judging, just a comment.

Foot and Mouth is only an issue coming into the UK.

The French do not have a restriction for that reason, it is only restricted going across to the EU because of B****t.

 

[CAB96]

Never been checked in 30+ yrs, it's not a new law. Really cannot see the difference between mohos taking a bit over & all the freight food carriers coming back & forth!

Not New?

I suppose 2021 is no longer considered recent.

 

[dunnah01]

Right I see so, the day after the U.K. held a referendum every local butcher, baker & candlestick maker, every U.K. supermarket... including a couple of certain German companies, plus all of the European owned food manufacturers based on our shores suddenly decided to produce different quality food did they?

The option to do that is exactly what the whole thing was a vote for

 

[TDub49]

I'll be the first to say it. You shouldn't take any meat or dairy items through although an element of Fish is randomly allowed. These are the rules but many people take the risk and go out fully loaded. I've not seen it before enforced but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Is it the right thing to do, I'll leave that with your moral compass and see what way it points

"Many people take the risk". What, the minor risk to themselves of getting a telling-off at customs and their contrabrand meat and dairy items confiscated; or the risk of importing (exporting?) something that infects the lifestock with all that could mean? Not really a matter of conscience, more a matter of consideration and common sense.

 

[Nounou]

What is wrong with buying farm fresh milk in a French supermarket along with goats cheeses and many others and best of all creme fraîche de brebis. Isn't half the fun of going somewhere new to try the different foods on offer. And you can always pick up some cheddar if you are desperate.

 

[Garry - June]

You first have to understand what this rule is in place for... its designed to protect the EU block from any biological nasties from elsewhere getting into the EU food chain and contaminating it and putting EU citizens at risk.. Its an absolutely barmy rule and the reason why is pretty obvious.... countries such as Australia/New Zealand also employ this rule and are very very strict on it...and thats because they can because they are essentially Islands surrounded by oceans... the EU is not.. its primarily a land block with thousands and thousands of miles of land borders so its absolutely impossible from closing off its borders and stop things getting in... think about it they cannot even do it with humans (migrants).. so the border officials know full well its an impossible task and as such they cannot be bothered to implement it themselves... unless one gets up on the wrong side of the bed one morning and decides to take it out on travellers of course. The other funny part is that we shop primarily in Aldi/Lidl.. these shops are full of EU produce which has been shipped across the channel into their stores, had all the checks and all passed with flying colours... I have some Spanish chorizos in my fridge right now purchased in Lidl... now if I take it with me when I go across this week suddenly that chorizo becomes dangerous and needs to be confiscated before it infects someone in France with a deadly pathogen.. like I said.. a barmy rule...and they know it... hence why I take anything that was in my fridge and dont worry about it... if I do happen to meet Mr grumpy border guard I accept the risk

 

[carolyn]

Not being self-righteous or anything but my understanding is that the prohibition is not capricious or trivial but because of the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease. Therefore it isn’t a matter of being caught or not getting caught but complying with a sensible health issue.

Not judging, just a comment.

My understanding (probably wrong) is that this is the law for coming back into the UK and was brought back in a few years ago. More like 3 when we came back from Turkey and less to do with B… and was to do with Foot and Mouth which would be a catastrophe if it came back.

Going out is to do with B… and I know we were real goody two shoes to start with (I was Head Girl after all ) but standards are slipping now a bit with time. No one checks at Poole to Cherbourg.

 

[Andycap]

As mentioned in my other thread, this is our first trip abroad in the motorhome. We have just become aware that we are not allowed to take a lot of food items into France. Ordinarily this might not be a problem as there are supermarkets in Calais, but we are travelling out next Sunday. Aren't all shops closed on Sunday's in France?

Do other people abide by these rules and not take any food into France, or is it one of those rules that is not enforced? Or do we have to hide food items under the driver seat

Been going to France for the last seven years and not once has anyone from either side looked in the fridge. The French asked to enter the van which he did only to look in the biggest cupboard. I offered to open other cupboards and pull the bed down which he declined. I would not worry. Enjoy yourselves and have a safe trip.

 

[newton65uk]

Can someone explain to me the risk of bringing cheese back into the country. I understand that it is to prevent the spread of foot and mouth. However, when in the Netherlands, for example, we eat a lot of cheese and we may have accidentally brought some back in the fridge. How on earth could a little pack in my fridge which is then consumed by us, possibly infect livestock in the UK?

 

[Ch@ppers]

I’m always amazed when I’m crossing on a carp trip how interested they are in the camo brigade in their vans… disproportionately pulled in my experience.

Probably because they're wearing camo, or it's probably just beacause a lot travel by van

 

[carolyn]

Can someone explain to me the risk of bringing cheese back into the country. I understand that it is to prevent the spread of foot and mouth. However, when in the Netherlands, for example, we eat a lot of cheese and we may have accidentally brought some back in the fridge. How on earth could a little pack in my fridge which is then consumed by us, possibly infect livestock in the UK?

As you asked I thought I would investigate!!

It seems the virus which as we know is very nasty and spreads easily once out and about can also stay alive quite happily in our cheese for instance in the fridge. We could eat it and be OK. The big concern is how we might dispose of any packaging of said cheese or odd bits of leftovers. If they are in a bin bag that gets chewed on by a wild animal that then gets foot and mouth and spreads it to domestic animals it would be a disaster.

It does seem as though that’s why we can’t bring food back currently. Having grown up in a rural area I can still remember the smell of the fires so I’m not going to argue about the return journey.

Don’t shoot the messenger. Unless you incinerate your own rubbish you could in theory contaminate the rubbish. I have no idea how big a risk this actually is of course but someone must have done a risk assessment.

 

[frankieboy]

As mentioned in my other thread, this is our first trip abroad in the motorhome. We have just become aware that we are not allowed to take a lot of food items into France. Ordinarily this might not be a problem as there are supermarkets in Calais, but we are travelling out next Sunday. Aren't all shops closed on Sunday's in France?

Do other people abide by these rules and not take any food into France, or is it one of those rules that is not enforced? Or do we have to hide food items under the driver seat

Hello
They are not interested in what’s in your fridge
We have never been stopped and checked.
Ignore the scaremongers and go and have fun.
Frank

 

[dunnah01]

Why do do many people want to break rules nowadays . Clever people that know about this stuff make the rules so why is it so many think they know better.

 

[Tonks]

Food for your own consumption is usually accepted as long as your not importing it to sell.

Whether or not illegal food exportation in a MH fridge(!) is 'usually accepted', there is in law no allowance for food for your own consumption, or any distinction as to whether you plan to sell it!


Some people HAVE been stopped, and some have been fined as well as having had their food confiscated. It's been reported first hand on various MH forums a number of times. That said, if I were going to take prohibited food over, I definitely wouldn't 'hide' it, as then if the customs folk are feeling particularly irritable, you could also be done for 'smuggling'.

I also definitely would never use AI to search for info on this kind of thing. Especially when it's easy to find the official information online. AI bases its info on data it widely finds published on the net, much of which is wrong. Including much of what is said about what is legally allowed. I was looking for information this morning on something definitely NOT having any legal ramifications, and despite various attempts, using carefully phrased questions, AI gave me three lots of returned data, ALL of which I knew to be incorrect.

I know of one couple who were fined a significant sum (they were filmed as part of a TV documentary on the work of EU customs) but that was likely made much worse because they argued the toss and were very rude to the customs guy who was dealing with them. I would suggest that anyone being stopped because they've done something they shouldn't have, would be best to keep their responses polite and relevant, rather than stroppy and entitled.

 

[Mad dog]

Not New?

I suppose 2021 is no longer considered recent.

You weren't allowed to take meat & dairy products across well before 2021, it's been the law for donkeys years. But as someone else said, for personal consumption, they take a blind eye!

 

[LesW]

Clever people that know about this stuff

I'm not so sure about this bit.

 

[pelican]

I'm not so sure about this bit.

Don't worry they know.

 

[Mark1965]

As mentioned in my other thread, this is our first trip abroad in the motorhome. We have just become aware that we are not allowed to take a lot of food items into France. Ordinarily this might not be a problem as there are supermarkets in Calais, but we are travelling out next Sunday. Aren't all shops closed on Sunday's in France?

Do other people abide by these rules and not take any food into France, or is it one of those rules that is not enforced? Or do we have to hide food items under the driver seat

Most Big Supermarkets are open Sunday mornings (12/1300ish) There are Supermarkets all around the Big towns and Ports etc. If you are arriving in Calais you'll find one about 10 minutes from the Port (Auchan). I actually prefer the French Chicken and Butter and the Fresh Milk is good too.
If you take a small (1/2 pint) milk out you'll have no problem.

 

[CH]

As mentioned in my other thread, this is our first trip abroad in the motorhome. We have just become aware that we are not allowed to take a lot of food items into France. Ordinarily this might not be a problem as there are supermarkets in Calais, but we are travelling out next Sunday. Aren't all shops closed on Sunday's in France?

Do other people abide by these rules and not take any food into France, or is it one of those rules that is not enforced? Or do we have to hide food items under the driver seat

My first time in a motorhome travelling to France and Spain this year, I also read the rules on what you can and can't take, and abided by them, ignoring all the people gloating that they ignore all the rules and do as they please. First stop after getting off the ferry was the nearest supermarket for a few essentials, and this is where I started thinking I should have ignored the rules too. I had no clue that fresh milk doesn't exist, at least in the supermarkets that I used, and it's UHT or nothing, and bacon too I found impossible to find, normal sliced bread is not common either, except in Lidl. Vacuum packed squid however, is readily available . I actually got a taste for Lait Entier, delicious! Small inconveniences when France is such an amazing place to discover in a motorhome.

 

[CAB96]

You weren't allowed to take meat & dairy products across well before 2021, it's been the law for donkeys years. But as someone else said, for personal consumption, they take a blind eye!

I never knew that, thanks for educating me!

 

[Realist]

They don’t look most of the time, went to France in June border didn’t look, check or even if we had any, didn’t even ask if the gas was off.

In fact I turned it off on the way over but forgot to turn it off on our return duh!