Britain expanded security checks on air cargo after a recent failed bomb plot, saying shipments on some flights from Asia and the Middle East would be screened in Britain before being dispatched elsewhere.

The government announced the decision after Transport Secretary Philip Hammond met aviation and freight industry representatives to discuss freight security after a U.S.-bound parcel bomb from Yemen was intercepted in Britain last week.

"Any cargo shipments on the following routes, which might previously have been exempt from screening, will now be subject to the appropriate security measures before transferring onwards," the Department for Transport said.

It listed nearly 50 routes from Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Sudan and Thailand to British airports, operated by airlines British Airways , bmi , Emirates Etihad , Jet , Kingfisher and Pakistan International Airlines.

A Department for Transport spokesman said the flights included some cargo and some passenger flights.

He declined to say why the measure was being taken. Cargo is exempted from screening in Britain when there is a recognised screening procedure in place in the country of origin. The new measures take effect immediately.

Hammond discussed a number of other ideas with industry representatives, including categorising the country of origin of air freight on the basis of the quality of their cargo screening arrangements.

"Those that match the regime in the UK and EU (European Union) ... would have easier access to the UK compared with those which have least secure arrangements," the department said.

Another proposal was for a system of "intelligent targeting" for air freight consignments, whereby freight carriers would assess whether consignments seem unusual or suspicious.

"For example, last week's printers were being sent from Yemen to the U.S. ... when the cost of shipping would almost certainly have been greater than the cost of purchasing a new printer locally," it said. Last week's bombs were found in computer printer cartridges.

"We shall continue to work closely together as we develop these and other long-term solutions to this latest threat," Hammond said in a statement.

Britain has already implemented a number of measures, including banning unaccompanied air freight from Yemen and Somalia and banning passengers from carrying toner cartridges over 500 grams in their hand luggage on flights from Britain.

Britain also launched a review of security air cargo arriving in Britain after the bomb was found at East Midlands airport in central England. (Reuters)