United Kingdom bans raw milk cheese imports from France and Italy

The United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has banned the import of raw milk cheeses from France and Italy. The restriction is based on safety concerns following outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a cattle disease spread by flies and mosquitoes.

The ban affects various unpasteurized products, including French varieties such as Roquefort, Vacherin, Mimolette, Tomme, and certain artisan Bries. In Italy, the ban impacts artisan-produced mozzarella and pecorino, though major brands like Parmesan remain unaffected as they are made with pasteurized milk.

Cheeses produced before May 23rd are exempt provided importers can supply the necessary documentation. Consequently, shortages of these specific products are expected to emerge gradually as existing aged stocks are depleted. While these restrictions apply to commercial imports, they also theoretically affect travelers bringing cheese into the country. These products remain available for sale throughout the European Union.