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UK raw‑milk cheese import ban

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-01 04:56 UTC → 2026-08-06 00:13 UTC · added removed

In early June 2026 Defra prohibited barred imports of raw‑milk cheese unpasteurised‑milk cheeses from France and Italy, permitting only products made before 23 May 2025 with the required paperwork. A notice on 24 June reaffirmed that the ban covered French brie, Roquefort, Vacherin and Italian artisan mozzarella or pecorino, while pasteurised cheeses such as Parmesan remained allowed. On 4 July 2026 the agency clarified that the restriction also applied to live cattle imports and cited the first confirmed cases of Italy after Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) was confirmed in Sardinia (21 June 2025) and near Chambéry (29 June 2025). Defra stressed that the virus can survive in raw milk but poses no human‑health risk. A further update on 16 July 2026 explained that the The ban extends to travellers bringing raw‑milk cheese into the UK also covers live cattle, and that Italy’s LSD‑free status was revoked. Imports of cheeses produced after before 23 May 2025 are blocked unless accompanied by specific documentation, potentially leading to may still enter the UK with the required paperwork, meaning shortages of artisan varieties such as brie, Roquefort, pecorino Vacherin, mozzarella and certain mozzarella. Pasteurised cheeses pecorino are unaffected, and there is no impact on EU‑internal cheese sales. Defra expected to develop gradually. The restriction was reiterated on 22 24 June and extended on 4 July 2026 that to include travellers bringing raw‑milk cheese into the UK. Italy’s LSD‑free status was revoked, and the ban remains in force for applies to all raw‑milk cheeses unpasteurised cheeses, now listed to include French Mimolette, Tomme and live cattle reblochon. Canada introduced a parallel ban on unpasteurised cheeses from France and Italy, warning that UK consumers may continue to experience shortages. Later that month the department confirmed same countries. Defra stresses that LSD can survive in raw milk but poses no human‑health risk. Quarantine zones and vaccination programmes have been established in the prohibition covers all unpasteurised‑milk cheeses—including additional affected French varieties such as Mimolette and Tomme—and reiterated that the restriction also applies to live cattle imports. While Italian regions, and officials note the affected disease spreads via flies and mosquitoes. Pasteurised cheeses remain available throughout the EU, officials expect gradual shortages for unaffected, and EU‑internal cheese sales continue unchanged, while UK shoppers. consumers face ongoing shortages.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-06 00:13 UTC UK raw‑milk cheese import ban
  2. 2026-08-01 04:56 UTC UK raw‑milk cheese import ban

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