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Guidance

27 October 2026: Revocation of lumpy skin disease restrictions for France

Updated 28 October 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/27-october-2026-revocation-of-lumpy-skin-disease-restrictions-for-france

OVS note number: 2026/50

Purpose

To inform you that Defra has reviewed the actions taken by the French Competent Authority in response to their previous outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and that, as a result, import restrictions on the following commodities from France have been lifted:

  • live ungulates
  • fresh meat of ungulates
  • raw milk and raw milk products
  • bovine embryos
  • bovine semen
  • certain animal by-products, including hides and skins, that were included in the LSD Declaration of Special Measures of 26 June 2025

Background

France notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of its first case of lumpy skin disease (LSD), which was confirmed on 29 June 2025 on a cattle farm in Chambéry and reported through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS).

In response to this outbreak, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance (UK SPS Office) amended its third country lists on 1 July 2025 and published safeguard declarations on 10 July 2025 to suspend imports of several commodities from France (see OVS note 2025/50 for a full list of actions taken). Defra has now reviewed the measures implemented by the French Competent Authority in response to these outbreaks and concluded that LSD restrictions can be lifted.

As a result, the UK SPS Office amended its third country listings on 26 October 2026 to lift the suspension on imports of the following commodities from France:

In addition, restrictions on imports from France of hides and skins and all other animal by-products of bovine origin have been lifted by revoking the safeguard declarations through which these restrictions were implemented. This has been achieved through publication on the ‘Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues’ page of the following revocations, which apply from 27 October 2026:

  • Lumpy skin disease in France: revocation of declaration of special measures (England)
  • Lumpy skin disease in France: revocation of declaration of special measures (Scotland)
  • Lumpy skin disease in France: revocation of declaration of special measures (Wales)

Contact point for enquiries

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk

Imports and EU Trade Team

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