Personal imports: Publicity
Don't Bring Me Back: Personal Food Imports Campaign
A new public information film (filler) highlighting the risks travellers face if they bring illegal food products into the UK was launched in August 2008.
This is our current TV filler which is being shown across the UK on selected terrestrial, cable and satellite channels.
The film is part of a wider mainstream cross-government campaign targeting personal food imports from outside of the EU.
Although the sixty second film ‘Don’t Bring Me Back’ takes a humorous and light-hearted approach, with puppets made to look like food that sing to travellers, the message is very serious.
It focuses on the personal inconvenience of being delayed at the airport as a result of baggage searches by UK Border Agency staff, and of having any illegal foods seized, but ends with the stark warning about the possibility of causing a disease outbreak and also facing prosecution.
Disease outbreaks can have a severe impact on rural communities and businesses. The personal import rules reduce the risk of disease and pests entering the UK which can have a devastating effect on UK farming. Some products may also contain harmful residues or contaminants which are unsafe for public health.
The film is part of an ongoing public awareness campaign by Defra, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). It updates and reiterates the messages in the ‘I packed my bags’ film that has been running since 2004. It is targeted at all travellers entering the UK from countries outside the EU.
This film is only one part of the campaign. Other elements include bi-lingual leaflets and posters, awareness raising among local communities particularly around popular travelling times, online advertising, posters at airports, press engagement and overseas action.
The previous personal food imports campaign 'Don’t break the law, check the rules before you travel' is available here.Further information
- Don't bring me back: Personal food imports campaign - New campaign site launched on Directgov website - www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback
- More information about the campaign’s participating departments can be found at:
HM Revenue and Customs www.hmrc.gov.uk
Food Standards Agency www.food.gov.uk
- Information about the Border Agency can be found at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
Page last
modified:
September 3, 2008