Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 January 2026
Correspondence from Baroness Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, re Defra’s attitude tracker and its insight into awareness of rules for personal imports of meat and dairy products, dated 19 January 2026
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Animal and plant health
Summary
Baroness Hayman corrects a data interpretation error in Defra's previous government response concerning public awareness of personal import rules for meat and dairy products. She clarifies that in August 2025, only 12% of 446 respondents incorrectly believed they could import these products, with 6% answering 'don't know'. The department acknowledges measurement challenges and commits to improved tracking methods including socio-demographic analysis.
Key findings
- Data correction: August 2025 showed 12% of 446 European travellers incorrectly thought they could bring back meat/dairy; 6% responded 'don't know' (not captured in original response)
- November 2025 figures: 15% of 699 travellers incorrectly believed they could import meat/dairy; 4% answered 'don't know'
- Defra acknowledges challenges in measuring public awareness via current methodology
- Department committed to improving measurement approach and including socio-demographic details of respondents
- Defra continuing awareness promotion through government and industry partnership channels
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Alistair Carmichael MP, Defra, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“I have just been made aware of an inadvertent data interpretation error in the government response to the Committee's third report.”
Key Quotes
“… in August 2025, fewer than 90% of 446 respondents who had travelled to Europe since April 2025 indicated awareness of the rules: 12% thought they could bring back meat and/or dairy products”
“I understand that there are challenges in measuring public awareness of personal import rules via the current approach. We will improve the measurement of public awareness of these rules going forward”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗