Holidaymakers urged to check new Government travel regulations ahead of Easter getaway

The rules have only just changed, so make sure you are not caught out

Brits heading abroad over the Easter weekend are being warned of new travel restrictions.

They are linked to items you may and may not bring back from continental Europe following the UK's departure from the European Union and came into force on Saturday (April 12).

The Government issued the warning via its social media channels as thousands of Brits are preparing to head to the continent over Easter.

It warned that foods such as beef, pork, lamb, mutton, venison and goat meat, and all dairy products like cheese, butter or yoghurt, could not be brought back from EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

The EEA includes EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and gives them access to the EU's single market. Other restrictions include fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds.

The message on X read: "Important changes to personal imports: You can no longer bring meat or dairy products from EU or EEA countries into Great Britain for personal use.

"This includes beef, pork, lamb, mutton, venison and goat meat, and all dairy products like cheese, butter or yoghurt.

"If you're travelling over Easter weekend, check what you can and can't bring back before you go."

An update on the Government website continued: "There are rules for bringing food or animal products into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for your own use.

"There are different rules if you’re bringing food or animal products into Northern Ireland.

"There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad.

"If you’re bringing in any food or animal products protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you may need to apply for a CITES permit."

It is not all bad news though. Foods and other items you can still bring back include bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products, cakes without fresh cream, biscuits, and chocolate and confectionery - but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients.

You can also bring back pasta and noodles - but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products - packaged soup, stocks and flavourings, processed and packaged plant products such as packaged salads and frozen plant material, and food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules.