In the days leading up to my weekend trip to Britain from Italy, friends and relatives questioned whether it would be safe to eat British dairy products or meat, and whether I would venture into the countryside. My local butcher was distinctly nervous that I may import the foot-and-mouth disease into Italy (and his shop) on my return.
|
These concerns were reinforced when I arrived at the north Italian airport of Treviso. At the check-in desk a large poster published by the Italian Ministry of Health read:
|
'For passengers coming from the United Kingdom - DANGER! You may be unintentionally carrying foot-and-mouth disease virus which can infect livestock in this country or in your country of final destination.'
|
Why this was placed in the departure hall remains unclear. What was crystal clear is that the panic over foot-and-mouth has firmly taken hold - even though no cases of the disease have been found in Italy during this year's European scare.
|
The Italian government was more extreme than the European Union (EU) in its banning of animal imports susceptible to foot-and-mouth. The Italian ban on imports went even further than the previous EU restrictions by including non-EU countries. The Italian government also enacted legislation temporarily banning the movement of livestock within Italy, outlawing circus shows, animal fairs and markets.
|
In the UK, it seems that the government has a lot of work to do to attract Italian and other foreign tourists. But their case will not be helped by the policies applied to those leaving the UK for Italy.
|
At the check-in desk at Stansted Airport, I was asked whether I was carrying any meat or dairy products out of the country. I confidently replied 'No'. But as I passed through the security check, I suddenly remembered that I had previously attempted to fulfil my wife's craving for chocolate by buying a box of 'Milk Tray' that was in my hand luggage. As my brow began to sweat, I guessed what it must feel like to be a smuggler.
|
Having passed through the security check successfully, I spotted a poster published by the UK government's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food MAFF). It began: 'Leaving the UK? It is illegal to take the following products into any country: fresh meat, meat products, fresh milk, milk products.'
|
 | | Would it make a difference if I bought Belgian chocolates next time? |
|
Fortunately, the end of the poster reassured: 'BUT…biscuits, boiled sweets, toffees and chocolate are okay.'
|
I breathed a sigh of relief, although was left concerned about why 'Milk Tray' chocolates are not considered a milk product. Would it make a difference if I bought Belgian chocolates next time?
|
While the definition of a 'milk product' had left me confused, the attempt to prevent the entry of foot-and-mouth into Italy on our arrival back at Treviso airport seemed unlikely to be successful. As we landed we were told that anybody who had been on a farm or come into contact with livestock should identify themselves. Then they would be taken to a special area to have all their shoes disinfected, and be instructed about how to wash all their clothes, shower, wash hair and scrub finger nails.
|
Strangely, this announcement was only made in English. Maybe there is a presumption that non-English speakers are not visiting the countryside. Less surprisingly, nobody took up this offer to be given the contemporary 'leper' label - and to be on the safe side, I kept quiet about my chocolates.
|
Read on:
|
Foot-and-mouth issue
|
Dominic Standish writes comment articles for the Italy Daily section of the International Herald Tribune and runs Progress Consultancy in the Veneto region of Italy (dstandish@europe.com)
|
