Brexit: driver sandwich confiscated at the Dutch border due to new rules

Brexit: driver sandwich confiscated at the Dutch border due to new rules

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London (CNN) – A Dutch television network filmed border officials seizing food, including meat sandwiches, from travelers who entered the Netherlands from the UK – blaming post-Brexit rules.

In a segment broadcast by public broadcaster NPO 1, employees are shown explaining to a driver who arrives in Hoek van Holland, where an international ferry terminal is located: “Since Brexit, you can no longer bring food to Europe, such as meat, fruits, vegetables, fish – that kind of thing. “

A driver, with sandwiches wrapped in foil, asks if he can keep the bread and give up the meat, but an employee replies, “No, everything will be confiscated. Welcome to Brexit, sir, I’m sorry.”

Now that the UK has left the single market and the customs union, goods crossing the border are subject to customs and other controls.

In guidance to transporters and commercial drivers transporting goods between Britain and the European Union, the UK government warns drivers that they cannot bring “animal products” – such as those containing meat or dairy products, such as sandwiches ham and cheese – for the EU.

Border officers seized the sandwiches, a TV segment showed.

Border officers seized the sandwiches, a TV segment showed.

EenVandaag

“Drivers traveling to the EU should be aware of additional restrictions on personal imports,” says the guide. “If you are carrying prohibited items in your luggage, vehicle or person, you need to use, consume or dispose of it at or before the border,” he adds.

The Dutch customs agency also warned UK travelers about similar restrictions, writing on Instagram in November that as of January 1: “Typical products like cheddar, curdled cream and Scottish haggis will no longer be allowed with you.”
The European Commission describes in its guidelines: “Personal goods containing meat, milk or their products introduced into the EU continue to pose a real threat to animal health across the Union.” He adds that “dangerous pathogens that cause animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever, can reside in meat, milk or their products”.

The border team told NPO 1 that, once coronavirus restrictions have eased, an influx of travelers may lead to longer waiting times for those entering the country.

“Now look, at this moment the volumes, as you saw, we are very small this morning – 30 cars,” said Rien de Ruijter, head of the Customs team, to the TV channel.

“We anticipate, of course, that when Covid’s measures are lifted, these numbers will increase and waiting times may also increase. And that can definitely lead to irritation,” he added.

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