Guidance

20 July 2026: Clarification on imports of untreated foetal bovine serum to Great Britain, additional guidance on processing FBS in countries affected by Lumpy Skin Disease

Updated 6 August 2026

OVS note number: 2026/34

Date: 20 July 2026

Purpose

This note provides additional guidance on the import of untreated foetal bovine
serum (FBS) to Great Britain (GB) where the raw material originates from a country
free from Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) but is subsequently processed in a country
affected by LSD. This note updates OVS Note 2026/32.

Port Health Authorities (PHAs) may accept consignments of untreated FBS as per
OVS note 2026/32 and also where:

• the FBS was derived from blood collected from animals and processed in a country free from LSD, then moved into a country affected by LSD, for export to GB
• the FBS was derived from blood collected from animals in a country free from LSD and then processed in a country affected by LSD the processing, storage and transport arrangements ensure that cross-contamination with non-compliant FBS in the LSD affected country has been prevented
• the consignment is accompanied by a valid GBHC502 Export Health Certificate (EHC), and
• the supporting documentation described below is attached to the EHC produced in TRACES NT

Background

OVS Note 2026/32 introduced two routes by which untreated FBS from France, Italy
and Spain could be imported into Great Britain, either through negative PCR testing
for LSD or where the FBS was collected before the closing date stated in the
relevant Safeguard Declaration.

Following further consideration of supply chains used in the manufacture of FBS, the
UK SPS Office has confirmed that imports of FBS from a country affected by LSD
are permitted if the FBS is derived from blood collected from animals in a country
free from LSD.

If the FBS is derived from blood collected from animals in a country free from LSD, it
is acceptable for the processing to have been done in a country affected by LSD. It is
also acceptable for the processing to have been done in a country free from LSD
before moving the FBS to an LSD-affected country for export to GB. In either case,
effective measures must be in place to prevent cross contamination, and suitable
documentary evidence must be provided to demonstrate the origin of the blood used
to manufacture the FBS.

This update applies in addition to the provisions described in OVS Note 2026/32.

Supporting documentation

A statement on company headed paper must accompany the consignment. It must
be signed by a person with knowledge of, and responsibility for, the relevant parts of
the production process, and confirm:

• the country or countries in which the blood used to manufacture the FBS was collected from
• the product does not contain non-compliant FBS derived from blood collected from animals in France, Spain or Italy and
• appropriate controls were in place during collection, processing, storage and dispatch to prevent cross-contamination with FBS derived from blood collected from susceptible animals in France, Spain or Italy

Submitting the documents

The supporting declaration must be attached to the Export Health Certificate (EHC)
produced in TRACES NT and presented with the consignment on arrival in Great
Britain.

Contact point for enquiries

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk

Animal By Products Policy Team