The UK government has brought in a temporary ban on holidaymakers bringing in cheese and meat products from the EU in a bid to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vpp8zzd7o Disaster ! For me one of the perks of visiting France & Spain has been to bring back Sauccison and cheese.
I was involved in sorting the last outbreak out (in a very small way - arranged teams and organised bio-security on sites) and I can say without doubt it was the most horrific thing I have ever been exposed to. Staff involved were traumatised but that was nothing compared to what the farmers suffered who saw us turn up and destroy what was often their life’s work. The fact that the government have acted early to prevent this horrific disease from getting to the U.K.,is a breath of fresh air compared to how previous governments have dealt with disease prevention. Thankfully they have listened to scientific advice for once.
It was horrendous last time, I’m a ex farmer and I’d already left by then but I remember the stories of farmers saying goodbye to each of their animals individually before they went off to slaughter, heart breaking.
By the time I usually leave France to come home, I’ve normally eaten half my bodyweight in cheese, so I’ve never thought to bring more home.. I’ll make sure I eat even more while I’m there in a couple of weeks though, just to be safe.
Fond memories, with diverticular disease processed meat is off the menu for me. Tend to avoid red meat in general though make the odd exception. Used to love saucisson sec
