HOLIDAYMAKERS were today warned not to bring exotic meat back to Worcestershire - or risk starting another devastating foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Rural Affairs Minister Lord Whitty said people travelling overseas must act as the "first line of defence" for farmers at home.

Launching a new information campaign, he said anyone buying raw or dried smoked meats, dairy products, plants, fresh or dried fish or potatoes risked "bringing back more than they bargained for."

Experts believe last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak may have been started by infected foreign meat that was fed to pigs.

Other risks include the introduction of pests that are not currently found in the UK.

"The devastation that foot-and-mouth disease caused to the farming and tourist industries is still fresh in our minds," added Lord Whitty.

"So it is in everyone's interest to make sure they play their part. Farmers and others are playing their part to help prevent the spread of disease.

"But more needs to be done to prevent disease entering the country in the first place.

Disease

"At airports and ports around the UK, Government is alerting travellers of the risks of importing disease.

"Easy access to information through leaflets, posters, internet pages and through travel agencies will now be available to holidaymakers and business travellers who travel outside the UK.

"We can never completely eradicate the risk of disease from imports of food and plants but we can, working with all our partners in the farming, food, drink, transport industries and supported by the travelling public, reduce the risk of unwittingly introducing and spreading diseases by being aware of and sticking to the rules."