On 14 May 2025, the United Kingdom officially recognised Germany as free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), without the use of vaccination. This update is especially relevant for those working in the food export sector, particularly for companies involved in temperature-controlled transport from Italy to the UK.
What this means for Italian food exports
Following this decision, the UK will now allow imports of several categories of food products that had been restricted due to previous containment zones in Germany. This includes products in transit or loaded in Germany, which is often part of many export routes from Italy.
The list of products now permitted for export includes:
- fresh or frozen meat from ruminants and pigs;
- meat-based products not subjected to specific treatments;
- raw or pasteurised milk, and dairy products
- animal genetic; material, game meat, animal by-products, hay and straw.
This development facilitates the planning of international shipments from Italy to the UK, especially for temperature-sensitive goods transported through Germany.
The impact on temperature-controlled logistics
At Fresh Ways, updates like these have a direct impact on the logistics planning of food exports. This is particularly true for complex operations such as groupage transport, where different product types and destinations are combined in one shipment.
When handling frozen food transport or chilled food logistics, staying fully aligned with veterinary certifications and import regulations is essential. For time-sensitive, perishable goods, compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s a responsibility.
What exporters need to do now
Although the FMD-free status simplifies things, all products must still be accompanied by the correct export health certificates, containing the specific declarations now required by UK authorities.
We recommend all partners verify the latest veterinary conditions and consult with our temperature-controlled export team for support with paperwork and shipment planning.
We move forward by staying informed
At Fresh Ways, we specialise in the international transport of Italian food products, exclusively for exports from Italy to European countries and the UK. Updates like this allow us to continue offering reliable, compliant logistics solutions, with optimised transit routes and real-time support.
We operate on all major routes across Europe, including temperature-controlled transport from Milan, Turin, Verona and Bari, with deliveries to importers, local distributors and logistics hubs in the UK and beyond. Whether you’re shipping full loads or groupage shipments, we’re by your side.
