I've been following threads on the C&MC site. Most travellers having been abroad and not checked have taken the approach of what is in the fridge at home when they set off goes in the van, along with a couple of meals. If they get through then life is a lot easier for the first night/day abroad. If they have to bin it, well it was worth the risk.
The following from a post today suggests it IS possible to take meat and dairy products. If so I am very happy.

There is an exemption in the small print that it is legal to take enough food for passengers and pets own use.
The EU document Reference No is:_
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 and reads:_

Pursuant to Article 48(d) and (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, products which form part of passenger’s personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption or use and small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market should be exempted from official controls at border control posts. Concerning small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market, Member States should carry-out risk-based controls. The possible risk of introducing pathogenic agents or diseases into the Union through the introduction of products of animal origin should be considered in measures regulating the introduction of such consignments or products.


Colin

I have been doing more digging .
When you read the Regulations in full they start out in bold saying no dairy or meat.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/tr...al/index_en.htm
The earlier mentioned quotation then appears which is obviously contradictory.
This may be because it refers to goods across the EU states and not entering the EU from a non EU country. It is confusing.
Further reading says you need to read the document as a whole without any section in isolation.
So still confused and seeking a definitive official answer, I've e-mailed the address below for clarification:-
https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en

I will keep you updated.

Colin

If you scroll down the page:-
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/tr...al/index_en.htm

Keep going past the pale blue chart until you get to:-
EU legislation
Commission Delegated Regulation on certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts, specific controls on passengers’ personal luggage
Commission Decision on the lists of animals and products subject to controls at border inspection posts
Council Regulation on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora

Click on the Commission Delegated Regulation and you get:-
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...ELEX:32019R2122

Colin

I have just received this reply.

Dear Mr Motteram,

Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.
Following your enquiry, we wish to inform you that if you are travelling in the European Union (EU) you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
In this context, EU includes the 27 EU countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland.
These rules also apply when you carry meat, dairy or plant products in your luggage, or if you order these items online or have them sent by mail.
You will find further general information in this regard at the following pages:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/tr...al/index_en.htm
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal...onal-imports_en
If you are still unsure about the possibility to bring your product(s), we invite you to directly contact the national customs authorities in the country of destination:
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/cu...inistrations_en

We hope you find this information useful. Please contact us again if you have other questions about the European Union, its activities or institutions.

Created on: 2022-04-05 09:48:05

================================================================================================================

This was in response to my original e-mail:-

The guidelines say no dairy or meat may be brought into Europe from the UK.
I have however found this-

The EU document Reference No is:_
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 and reads:_

Pursuant to Article 48(d) and (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, products which form part of passenger’s personal luggage and are intended for their personal consumption or use and small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market should be exempted from official controls at border control posts. Concerning small consignments of goods sent to natural persons which are not intended to be placed on the market, Member States should carry-out risk-based controls. The possible risk of introducing pathogenic agents or diseases into the Union through the introduction of products of animal origin should be considered in measures regulating the introduction of such consignments or products.

Your above statement reads that you can take meat and dairy for personal consumption.
Can you please clarify.

Thank you - Colin

================================================================================================================

My take on the reply is I have specifically asked from the UK and answer has come back that you can take meat and dairy.

Hold on though Hugh. Doesn't that mean we CAN'T take them from a non EU Country (ie GB) INTO an EU Country? However when IN an EU country we can carry them between EU countries?

I quote:- we wish to inform you that if you are travelling in the European Union (EU) you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.
In this context, EU includes the 27 EU countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland.

Randa

That has been my concern and why I specifically asked from the UK in my query.

Colin

Yes, I see that. It does look as though your specific question has been "swerved" though. We are going to chance it anyway by taking a small amount of stuff to see what the outcome is.

Randa