24 November 2025: Lumpy skin disease in Spain: Update to rules for importing bovine germinal products (semen, ova and embryos)
Updated 25 November 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/24-november-2025-lumpy-skin-disease-in-spain-update-to-rules-for-importing-bovine-germinal-products-semen-ova-and-embryos
OVS note number: 2025/75
Date: 24 November 2025
1. Purpose
- to notify that bovine germinal products collected in Spain before the closing date defined in the relevant third country lists are now eligible for import into Great Britain (GB) provided all other import conditions can be met.
- to update the advice OVS note 2025/67.
2. Background
Spain confirmed its first case of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) on 3 October 2025 on a cattle farm in Girona. Further information is found in the WAHIS report.
As a result of these outbreaks, imports of bovine germinal products (semen, ova and embryos) from Spain were temporarily suspended through amendment to the relevant third country lists (see OVS note 2025/67).
Please note guidance provided previously on triangular trade of bovine germinal products can be found in OVS Note 2025/71 and also applies to triangular trade of germinal products involving Spain.
3. Changes to import requirements
Following an assessment, imports into GB of bovine germinal products collected in Spain are now conditional on the date of collection. A closing date of 6 months prior to the confirmation of the LSD outbreak in Spain has been applied to the bovine semen and bovine embryos third country lists for Spain. The closing date for Spain is 03 April 2025.
The closing date is published in the lists of trading partners approved to export bovine semen and bovine embryos, through the application of a footnote to Spain’s entries. This means that bovine germinal products collected on or after the above dates in the respective countries are prohibited, but bovine germinal products collected before these dates are permitted.
3.1 Bovine germinal products collected in Spain, stored in and dispatched from Spain or other EU member states
Bovine germinal products collected, stored and dispatched from Spain or other EU member states may only be imported into GB if the dates of collection are recorded on the certificate as being prior to the closing dates in the bovine semen and bovine embryos listings.
3.2 Actions for OVSs
- to refuse entry into GB of bovine germinal products collected in Spain on or after the closing date set out in the relevant third country lists, and permit those collected in Spain prior to the closing date, providing all other import conditions are met.
4. Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team