This from Brussels (consider the source)

For those attending the AR Weekend from abroad in March next year it appears that of 01 October 2011 we can send a copy of our EFP to apply for a Visitor's Firearm's Permit instead of the original.

Although still requiring a special police issued British Visitors Permit in addition to the original EFP on arrival at a UK port before entry is permitted, the British Home Office has recently changed the UK Firearms Act of 1988 in such a way as to allow from 1 October 2011 the production of a copy of the EFP as an alternative to sending the original when applying for this British Visitors Permit for travelling to England, Wales and Scotland (the change will not extend to Northern Ireland). We are hoping that this change will eventually be followed by a complete abrogation of the stricter measures, including the requirement of a special visitors permit, in the three countries and that the EFP will finally be fully recognised by all Member States of the EU.