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3 clusters · 2 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS

UK raw‑milk cheese import ban

Entities: France · Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) · Italy · United Kingdom · Lumpy Skin Disease

Overview

In late July 2026 the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a ban on all imports of cheeses made from unpasteurised milk originating in France and Italy. The measure was triggered by the detection of Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle – the first Italian case in Sardinia on 21 June 2025 and the first French case near Chambéry on 29 June 2025 – leading the UK to withdraw the LSD‑free status of both countries and to extend the restriction to live cattle imports.

Cheeses produced before 23 May may still be imported if the importer provides the required documentation, but shortages of iconic varieties such as Brie, Roquefort, mozzarella and pecorino are expected as existing stock runs out. Defra stresses there is no risk to human health and notes that the affected cheeses remain available within the EU market.

A follow‑up notice on 28 July reiterated the ban, and on 7 August Defra added that the restriction also aims to prevent further spread of the disease, which is transmitted by flies and mosquitoes. Vaccination programmes are now underway in the affected French and Italian regions.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    UK bans raw‑milk cheese imports from France and Italy over Lumpy Skin Disease

    The UK has banned imports of raw‑milk cheeses and live cattle from France and Italy after LSD outbreaks in both countries, allowing limited pre‑May imports with paperwork.

  2. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    UK bans raw‑milk cheese imports from France and Italy

    Defra has barred raw‑milk cheese and live cattle imports from France and Italy after Lumpy Skin Disease cases were confirmed in Sardinia and near Chambéry, with exemptions for pre‑May‑23 stock.

  3. 15 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    UK bans raw‑milk cheese imports from France and Italy due to Lumpy Skin Disease

    The UK has barred imports of raw‑milk cheeses from France and Italy after Lumpy Skin Disease cases were confirmed, also suspending live cattle imports.

Sources

diningandcooking.com · katarina-stoltz.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history