Guide on LSD-Related Restrictions
In today’s world of temperature-controlled transport and food logistics, knowing international health regulations precisely is more crucial than ever. Due to the recent outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), the United Kingdom has imposed strict rules on imports of bovine dairy products from France and Italy.
Below is a complete summary, based exclusively on official GOV.UK documentation, for those working in food transport and groupage shipments to the UK.
Import suspensions
From 25 June 2025 (Italy) and 1 July 2025 (France), imports of raw milk and derivatives treated at lower-than-pasteurisation temperatures have been suspended, unless they began an ageing process before 23 May 2025.
Affected categories:
- Raw milk and untreated dairy products;
- Products treated at lower-than-pasteurisation temperatures that did not begin ageing before 23 May 2025;
- Fresh beef and various untreated bovine by-products
Aged raw-milk cheeses
Export is only permitted if both of the following requirements are met:
- Veterinary certificate GBHC416 issued on TRACES (older models not accepted);
- The cheese must have begun ageing before 23 May 2025.
In practice, hard cheeses (e.g. Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Gran Moravia) are permitted if they have the correct certification and proof of production before the specified date.
Cheeses made from pasteurised milk (or equivalent treatments)
Import is allowed, but requires at least one of the following documents:
- A flow chart of the production process;
- A pasteurisation declaration (e.g. “milk treated at 72 °C for 15 seconds”).
These documents prove the product is not subject to LSD restrictions because it has undergone a safe heat treatment.
Customs risks and responsibilities
Important: if even a single item in a shipment lacks the required documentation, the entire trailer will be rejected, sealed, and sent back to the EU. Partial separation is not permitted by UK authorities.
All costs and responsibilities will fall to the customer who fails to comply with the documentation rules.
The restrictions imposed by the UK following the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) outbreak came into force between 25 June and 1 July 2025, specifically affecting raw-milk dairy products or those treated at less than pasteurisation temperature.
What to do now?
- Always verify the milk type (raw / pasteurised)
- Ensure the required documentation is complete
- Use the critical date for determining eligibility.
For any operational questions, we’re here to help make your temperature-controlled transport safe and compliant at every stage.
