UK bans raw‑milk cheese imports from France, Italy over cattle disease

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has prohibited the import of raw‑milk cheeses from France and Italy after both countries reported cases of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle. The ban covers all cheeses made from unpasteurised milk, including brie, roquefort, reblochon, pecorino and artisan mozzarella, and also applies to live cattle imports.

Cheeses produced before 23 May are exempt if proper paperwork is provided, so shortages are expected to develop gradually. The disease is spread by flies and mosquitoes, and officials say there is no risk to humans from consuming the cheese. Quarantine zones and vaccination programmes have been established in the affected French and Italian regions, but cheese sales within the EU continue unchanged.