A poster campaign to clamp down on illegal meat imports was today launched at Gatwick in a bid to prevent a repeat of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Agriculture Minister Joyce Quin unveiled the new "straight to the point" poster.

It warns people entering the UK from countries outside the European Union that they can only bring in up to 1kg of meat which must have been cooked in a can or other sealed container.

Suspect goods may be seized and destroyed. Breach of the regulations could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 or imprisonment for two years.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) said it was highly likely illegal meat was the source of the latest epidemic.

The poster will be displayed at UK ports and airports and at departure points overseas.

A spokesman for MAFF said: "We are not talking about hardened criminals.

"We are talking about tourists who visit more far flung countries and decide they want to bring a sample of the local food home."