The UK government has implemented a temporary prohibition on the importation of cheese and meat products from the EU by holidaymakers in order to mitigate the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease.

Since Saturday, travellers have been prohibited from returning with items such as cured meat and cheese, including those used in sandwiches, as a result of the expanding pandemic on the continent.

Regardless of whether the products are purchased from a duty-free store or are packaged or packed, the restrictions remain in effect.

It follows an earlier prohibition of comparable products from Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria in response to the escalating prevalence of the cattle disease in those nations.

The restrictions are applicable to individuals who arrive in Great Britain, not Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

If individuals attempt to bring in products, they will be confiscated and destroyed. In “serious cases,” individuals may be subject to a fine of up to £5,000.

Among the restricted products are:

Pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison, other products created from these meats, such as sausages milk and dairy products like butter, cheese, and yoghurt.

Individuals are permitted to bring a maximum of 2kg of reconstituted infant milk, infant food, or special food that is required for medical purposes.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious virus that can result in lameness and nutrition difficulties, as well as blisters in the mouth and under the hooves of animals.

At present, there are no instances of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom.

The most recent outbreak in the United Kingdom occurred in 2001. Despite the fact that there were only 2,000 confirmed cases, over six million sheep, cattle, and swine were slaughtered.

This is due to the fact that each of those instances resulted in the slaughter and burning of all of the livestock on a property.

The National Farmers Union’s president, Tom Bradshaw, expressed his satisfaction with the government’s decision to extend the initial prohibition, stating that it was “quick” to implement it.

He stated that “increased border controls are imperative” in order to contain the disease.

Mr. Bradshaw advocated for “a comprehensive cross-government biosecurity plan that would establish these restrictions on a permanent legislative basis and receive the requisite investment.”

The Guild of Fine Food, which represents independent food and drink retailers, stated that the ban on ‘holiday treats’ was ‘hurried’. However, it also noted that it brought the UK government’s policy for holidaymakers more in accordance with the restrictions already in place for small businesses.

“The food and drink industry is unequivocally in favour of the importance of biosecurity and the protection of our farmers,” stated John Farrand, the managing director of the Guild of Fine Food.

He stated, however, that the “bureaucracy” that was implemented following Brexit had imposed “significant constraints” on minor food and drink importers and exporters..

The ‘Día Selection’ brand of chicken patties has been found to contain Salmonella by health authorities.

After receiving notification through SCIRI, the rapid information exchange system between autonomous communities, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (Aesan) activated the food alert protocol.

The product in question is batch number 250969 and has an expiration date of 19/04/2025.

Plastic containers are used to present these packages, which contain six units each weighing 90 grammes, for a total weight of 540 grammes. They are stored in the refrigerator.

The initial distribution encompassed nine autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, and Madrid.

Nevertheless, AESAN issued a cautionary note regarding potential secondary redistributions to other regions.

It is recommended that consumers who have this product refrain from eating it.

It is advised that you visit a health centre immediately if you have consumed the contaminated hamburgers and are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, or headache, which are indicative of salmonellosis.

The authorities’ actions

The immediate withdrawal of the product from points of sale was coordinated by AESAN in collaboration with the afflicted autonomous communities. The SCIRI (Spanish Agency for International Trade and Development) facilitated the rapid dissemination of the alert to all potentially affected regions in order to safeguard public health.

Salmonella is one of the primary causes of foodborne illness, and this microbiological contamination poses a substantial health risk. To monitor potential cases associated with this outbreak, authorities are maintaining their surveillance protocol.

The mediaeval market, which will be inaugurated in conjunction with Holy Week on Thursday, April 17th, at 5:00 p.m., is the first of the thematic markets that the Department of Festivals in Santa Pola intends to expand in the vicinity of the Fortress Castle.

A new phase of this tourist attraction has commenced with the assistance of a specialised company, La Fragua de Vulcano. During these festive days, it provides tourists and residents with an intriguing leisure alternative within the Castle’s unparalleled setting.

In addition to the artisan and merchant stalls, a diverse array of activities will be conducted over the course of five days, such as musical entertainment, minstrelsy, circus performances, workshops, storytelling, and more.

The market is open from 11 a.m. to late at night, with the exception of Holy Week processions, during which the music and performances will be interrupted.

PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, APRIL 17th
17:00 – Opening of the medieval market
18:00 – Proclamation and opening musical parade. Welcome!
19:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
20:00 – Duendeando. A very funny character
21:00 – Medieval music parade
21:45 – On fire. Fire show

FRIDAY, APRIL 18th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – Laughter and smiles. Medieval character
12:30 – Musical parade
13:00 – Medieval music in the streets
13:30 – The Juggling Jester
14:00 – The minstrels of music
18:00 – Musical parade
18:30 – Arrived from the East
20:00 – The minstrels of music
20:30 – The balance is in the street. Circus show
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
22:00 – Fire in the market!

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
11:30 – Viking Make-Up Workshop
12:00 – The Blind Pilgrim
12:30 – Musical parade
13:00 – Participatory children’s storytelling
13:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
14:00 – Music and dance in the market
18:00 – Parades, music and dance
18:00 – Duendeando. Medieval character
18:30 – Participatory medieval dance workshop
19:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
19:30 – The comedian is on the loose
20:30 – Music and percussion workshop
21:00 – The minstrels of music
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
21:30 – On fire. Fire show

SUNDAY, APRIL 20th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – Participatory workshop on medieval dances
12:30 – Duendeando. Medieval character
13:30 – Musical parade
14:00 – Participatory children’s theatre
18:00 – The comedian is on the loose
18:30 – Music and dance in the market
19:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
20:30 – Participatory Viking Runes Workshop
21:00 – The Cleric
21:30 – Participatory children’s storytelling
21:30 – Musical parade
21:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
23:00 – Parades, music and dance
23:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
23:00 – Fire in the streets

MONDAY, APRIL 21st
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – The Cleric
12:30 – Musical parade
13:30 – The comedian is on the loose
14:00 – The minstrels of music
18:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
18:30 – Duendeando. Medieval character
19:30 – Musical parade
20:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
21:00 – The minstrels of music
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
21:30 – Fire in the streets
23:00 – The market bids farewell until next year

See Santa Pola Tourist Website for more information https://www.turismosantapola.es/stp/web_php/index.php?contenido=esdeveniments_coconut&idEsdev=1317&title=mercado-medieval-santa-pola-2025&lang=4

The location of the castle in Santa Pola is here: