Riga Airport seizes over two tonnes of meat and dairy from luggage this year
Riga Airport has confiscated more than 2,000 kg of meat and dairy products and nearly 1,500 kg of fruit and vegetables from the luggage of passengers arriving from outside the EU over the past seven months. The figures were shared at an event on prohibited imports.
Representatives of Riga Airport revealed on Thursday, August 13, how much banned food has been seized from passengers' luggage so far this year. The information was presented at an event titled "Souvenir or Violation? What Cannot Be Brought In From Countries Outside the EU."
According to the figures, over a seven-month period this year, airport staff confiscated more than two tonnes — precisely 2,052 kilograms — of meat and dairy products from the luggage of passengers arriving from countries outside the European Union. In addition, nearly one and a half tonnes, or 1,435 kilograms, of fruit and vegetables were seized.
Why the products are confiscated
Such restrictions exist to prevent animal and plant diseases from being brought into the European Union from third countries. Passengers arriving from outside the EU are often unaware that even a small amount of meat, dairy products, fruit or vegetables carried as a souvenir or travel snack can be considered a violation and confiscated at the border.
The event organized by the airport aimed to inform the public about which goods may not be brought into Latvia and the wider European Union when traveling from countries outside the bloc.
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