In the world of international food transport, every announcement from the health authorities can have an immediate impact on logistics flows. Monitoring developments in the countries where goods are produced, processed or shipped is part of our daily work, because any regulatory change is quickly reflected in the activities of those who export and organise temperature-controlled transport to the United Kingdom.
On 28 November 2025, the Spanish authorities notified DEFRA of confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boars in the Barcelona region. This update directly affects the export of pig-derived products to Great Britain and, consequently, the work of those managing shipments and veterinary documentation.
What the Spanish authorities have decided
Following the notification, the official Spanish authorities instructed their veterinarians not to sign export health certificates – at national level – for the relevant products destined for the United Kingdom.
This measure will remain in place until the affected area is officially recognised as ASF free by both the Spanish Government and the European Commission.
For companies involved in food transport, this means that products requiring veterinary certification cannot obtain the necessary documents for entry into the UK until further notice.
The position of the United Kingdom and the next steps
UK authorities are currently assessing the regionalisation measures that Spain is expected to introduce over the coming days. It is anticipated that the country will be divided into specific regions with different requirements for the import of pig meat into Great Britain.
Once regionalisation is confirmed, Port Health Authorities will receive the official guidance to be applied at border controls.
Until that moment, one rule remains clear: any certificate declaring the absence of ASF cannot be accepted for entry into the United Kingdom.
What this means for exporters and shippers
Within groupage transport and dedicated shipments, every health certificate is an essential element. For this reason, the authorities recommend holding the relevant consignments, when possible, until the official announcement on regionalisation is released.
Before booking a shipment, it is advisable to verify whether the required documentation can actually be issued. This simple check helps prevent delays, disruptions at departure, or extended waiting times at ports.
Staying informed as the situation evolves
Situations like this highlight how temperature-controlled transport relies not only on operational expertise, but also on the ability to follow every regulatory and sanitary update with care.
We will continue to monitor official communications from APHA and DEFRA and share any new information that may be useful for companies exporting to Great Britain.
If you need support in assessing documentation requirements or understanding how these measures may affect your upcoming shipments, our Customs Team is available to help evaluate each case and provide operational guidance: dogana@freshways.it
