Cheese imports from France and Italy have been halted by the UK due to regulatory issues.
The United Kingdom has imposed a ban on unpasteurized cheese imports from France and Italy as a precautionary measure to prevent the introduction and spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) among British cattle.
Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, characterised by fever and painful skin nodules. The virus is mainly transmitted through biting insects like flies and mosquitoes. Although LSD does not affect humans, it can cause significant economic damage to the livestock industry by reducing milk yield, making meat and hides unsellable, and necessitating the culling of large herds if it spreads within the UK.
The decision to ban unpasteurized cheese imports was prompted by recent outbreaks of LSD in France and Italy. As a result, the UK government revoked the LSD-free status of these countries and suspended imports of live cattle, raw milk, and raw dairy products from them.
The ban specifically targets raw milk and dairy products that have not undergone full pasteurisation or started ageing before 23 May 2025. Pasteurisation effectively inactivates the virus, making these products safe for consumption. Cheeses aged before this date are exempt from the ban to avoid disrupting matured products already in the supply chain.
The ban mostly affects commercial imports, but theoretically applies to holidaymakers as well. It's important to note that this measure is not about food safety for consumers but about protecting British livestock and preventing an outbreak on UK soil, which would have severe repercussions on the dairy and meat sectors.
This biosecurity measure blocks the possible introduction of the virus through raw milk products, which might harbor the virus if not pasteurized. The ban extends to the UK, as well as Canada, and affects a variety of cheeses such as Vacherin, Roquefort, Mimolette, Tomme from France, and artisan-produced mozzarella and pecorino from Italy.
However, most Italian cheeses, such as Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Gorgonzola, are largely pasteurised and are not affected by the ban. Cheese-mongers in the UK are frustrated with the ban on unpasteurised cheese imports, stating that there is no risk to people from these cheeses.
The UK's import ban also applies to live cattle. Subsequent outbreaks in Hungary and Slovakia have persisted, leading to the UK's ban on imports of meat or dairy products from these countries.
In 2001, a major outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the UK led to the culling of more than six million animals and cost the economy billions, devastating the livestock industry and tourism. The UK has banned imports of meat or dairy products from European countries where FMD has been detected, including Austria due to the outbreak in neighbouring Hungary.
Germany detected an outbreak of FMD in January, but has since been declared FMD-free. The UK's vigilance in controlling the import of potentially infected products reflects its commitment to maintaining the health of its livestock and protecting its economy from the potential devastation of such an outbreak.
References: [1] BBC News (2025). UK bans unpasteurised cheese imports from France and Italy. [online] Available at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62974753 [2] Farming UK (2025). UK bans unpasteurised cheese imports from France and Italy. [online] Available at: www.farminguk.com/news/uk-bans-unpasteurised-cheese-imports-from-france-and-italy-95451 [3] The Guardian (2025). UK bans unpasteurised cheese imports from France and Italy. [online] Available at: www.theguardian.com/food/2025/jun/25/uk-bans-unpasteurised-cheese-imports-from-france-and-italy [4] Food Manufacture (2025). UK bans unpasteurised cheese imports from France and Italy. [online] Available at: www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/news/uk-bans-unpasteurised-cheese-imports-from-france-and-italy-95451 [5] DEFRA (2025). Lumpy Skin Disease. [online] Available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/lumpy-skin-disease-lsd
- The ban on unpasteurized cheese imports from France and Italy is part of a broader health-and-wellness initiative, aiming to safeguard UK livestock and prevent the introduction and spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).
- Culture and lifestyle choices may have to adjust in the UK as a result of the import ban on unpasteurized dairy products from France and Italy, particularly when it comes to food-and-drink preferences, such as artisan cheeses from these countries.
- This medical-conditions related biosecurity measure, targeting unpasteurized cheese imports, aims to protect the UK's dairy and meat industries and, by extension, maintain the overall health and wellness of their agricultural sector.
