Ban on Food Imports from Non EU

DaveA · #1 21.06.2007, 12:53

Yippee lets here it for food protectionism !
dave

A circular received from "Swiss" Airline:

SWISS
Switzerland imposes partial
ban on food “souvenirs”
-

Travellers entering Switzerland

from countries outside the

European Union are prohibited from bringing certain food products
into the country with them.
The import of all meat, meat-based products, eggs, milk and
dairy products such as cheese and butter, as well as honey and
other food products, even if packaged in hermetically sealed
containers, is prohibited.
Per person, only one daily portion of baby food and special medical
products is permitted.
The rationale for this decision is to combat the spread of food and
animal-related diseases. Switzerland and the Member States of the
European Union are currently free of highly contagious diseases
carried by animals and wish to maintain this status. Because of the
difficulties involved in ensuring that travellers meet the rigorous
conditions that apply to commercially imported foodstuffs, Switzerland
is imposing a comprehensive ban on the casual import of all foods of
animal origin from non-EU countries.
Border authorities will confiscate any banned foodstuffs they find.
Travellers who infringe against this regulation are subject to payment

of a fine.

chemgoddess · #2 21.06.2007, 12:58

Thanks. Going to the states tomorrow, will definitely keep this in mind.

Thank god I can still bring back some Cool Ranch Doritos.

#3 21.06.2007, 12:59

that gives food for thought....

But it is surely not new? I thought it was always like this because of diseases like avian flu and the mouthsomething thingy?

DaveA · #4 21.06.2007, 13:17

Only applicable from 1st July 07

dave

	Quote:	tak
	that gives food for thought.... But it is surely not new? I thought it was always like this because of diseases like avian flu and the mouthsomething thingy?

fduvall · #5 21.06.2007, 15:46

That is too bad, as I always like to bring back some Prime steaks and sharp chedder cheese from the US.

fduvall

tomcat · #6 21.06.2007, 16:12

	Quote:	fduvall
	That is too bad, as I always like to bring back some Prime steaks and sharp chedder cheese from the US. fduvall

x2

Was hoping to bring some nice t-bones or strips back from Texas in September. Hmmmm. Tight vacuum seal and hope for the best?

fduvall · #7 21.06.2007, 17:03

I have only been stopped once at Customs...and it WAS the one time that I was loaded with stuff from home. I managed to get out with a small fine and duty on a camera that I had bought during the trip and for going over the weight limit for the steaks.

They thought I was a nut for bringing 40 packages of Lawry's taco spice!

fduvall

	Quote:	tomcat
	x2 Was hoping to bring some nice t-bones or strips back from Texas in September. Hmmmm. Tight vacuum seal and hope for the best?

nksyoon · #8 21.06.2007, 17:06

I wonder if curry paste in sealed packets is included in the ban. I guess chinese barbequed dried pork is included, 8(

ExoticLatic · #9 21.06.2007, 17:14

It's pretty standard stuff, I don't think you can turn up at US custom with Gruyeres and air dried meat either

It could be fun if UK customs take a look in my luggage when I do a big shop in Switzerland before flying back

miniMia · #10 21.06.2007, 22:11

	Quote:	ExoticLatic
	It's pretty standard stuff, I don't think you can turn up at US custom with Gruyeres and air dried meat either It could be fun if UK customs take a look in my luggage when I do a big shop in Switzerland before flying back

You can bring Gruyeres cheese to the US.
You can't bring the dried meat.

ExoticLatic · #11 21.06.2007, 23:49

I'm surprised about the Gruyeres, I thought dairy products made with unpasteurised milk were banned for import into the US. They certainly are in the UK, no exceptions even for EU members.

miniMia · #12 22.06.2007, 00:19

	Quote:	ExoticLatic
	I'm surprised about the Gruyeres, I thought dairy products made with unpasteurised milk were banned for import into the US. They certainly are in the UK, no exceptions even for EU members.

Well, I have to admit, I had no idea that Gruyeres is made with raw milk. But, having said that, I have brought Gruyeres to the US (as well as other raw milk cheeses) and have never had a problem.

So, having searched "importing cheese to the US", I found conflicting information, one site says "all cured cheeses" and another says "only vacuum packed cheese make with pasteurized milk".

I wonder if the customs agent just didn't know the cheese I've brought were made from raw milk?

ExoticLatic · #13 22.06.2007, 00:43

Very few people notice that Gruyeres, Emmenthal and, I think also Tilsit, Appenzeller and a fair few other hard Swiss cheese are made with unpasteurised milk (which is kind of strange considering how much of it is produced and exported all around the world), I guess they imagine raw milk cheeses to be some smelly, melting type like a ripe Camembert.

I was even more surprised when I saw that the extra-mature Canadian Cheddar I buy on occasion in the UK is made from unpasteurised milk, I thought hygienist nuts had killed that in North America...

miniMia · #14 22.06.2007, 01:23

	Quote:	ExoticLatic
	Very few people notice that Gruyeres, Emmenthal and, I think also Tilsit, Appenzeller and a fair few other hard Swiss cheese are made with unpasteurised milk (which is kind of strange considering how much of it is produced and exported all around the world), I guess they imagine raw milk cheeses to be some smelly, melting type like a ripe Camembert. I was even more surprised when I saw that the extra-mature Canadian Cheddar I buy on occasion in the UK is made from unpasteurised milk, I thought hygienist nuts had killed that in North America...

speaking of unpasteurised milk and cheese. I'd like to make fresh cheese like my grandmother used to make. My mother says I can use pasteurised milk but I know my grandmother used to make it with unpasteurised milk from the farmer across the street. But that was not in Switzerland.

There is a cheese shop down the street from me that makes his own cheese & yogurts, etc. Do you think he would sell me unpasteurised milk or is it totally illegal? I haven't asked him yet as I didn't know if it was "allowed" or not.

ExoticLatic · #15 22.06.2007, 01:55

I can't imagine for a secon raw milk being illegal in Switzerland! Ask the chap, I'm sure he can give you a few pointers.

GVA offline · #16 22.06.2007, 07:08

	Quote:	DaveA
	Yippee lets here it for food protectionism ! dave

jeez guys, if you have nothing to whinge about just make it up !

surely you do realise that this has nothing to do with protectionism ?

protectionism relates to international trade, not casual imports by individuals. CH imports loads of food from outside the EU.

GVA offline · #17 22.06.2007, 07:13

	Quote:	ExoticLatic
	It's pretty standard stuff

indeed it is. sanity prevails.

DaveA · #18 22.06.2007, 07:55

I dont think thats the reason for it, but following the line of the great reporters : who benefits ?

It means nothing to me personally as I do it from EU, but individuals that regularly brings food back (sometimes in quantity) from their non-EU homeland, even with duty paid, will find it difficult unless they have a commercial licence.

dave

	Quote:	GVA offline
	jeez guys, if you have nothing to whinge about just make it up ! surely you do realise that this has nothing to do with protectionism ? protectionism relates to international trade, not casual imports by individuals. CH imports loads of food from outside the EU.

möpp · #19 22.06.2007, 09:18

	Quote:	GVA offline
	surely you do realise that this has nothing to do with protectionism ?

Agree 100%. When Mr. Möpp and I were on our honeymoon in Australia and NZ in 1982 we were told to remain in our seats in the plane after landing, and then a stewardess walked down the center isle and actually sprayed all passengers with DDT before we were allowed to disembark! No joke.... On entering the terminal there were huge bins everywhere, where we had to get rid of ALL edible materials we had in our hand luggage. We were told that this was to prevent any food-carried diseases from the surrounding pacific islands from enterin the country "by mistake". It seemed to make sense at the time. I suppose you can compare it to the quarantine regulations that GB used to have for animals to prevent rabies.

gregv · #20 22.06.2007, 09:41

	Quote:	miniMia
	You can bring Gruyeres cheese to the US. You can't bring the dried meat.

If you bring cheese into the US, make sure it's not a soft cheese (like Brie or Tomme), and have it vacuum sealed by the shop when you buy it (Our local COOP market does this). We often take some of the low fat swiss mountain cheese back to the US.

Honey is also okay, but it must have the paper seal over the cap intact. We get honey from a beekeeper in Graubunden, and the USDA doesn't have a problem with it either.

You could always ask about taking the meat. It's probably forbidden, but when in doubt, I take a small portion of something, declare it and if it gets confiscated, then you know. A small uncut portion of bundnerfleisch in a vacuum sealed package might be okay. You might also contact the USDA directly to find out.