29 August 2025: Lumpy skin disease in France and Italy – Update on restrictions on certain thermised milk and milk products
Updated 22 September 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/29-august-2025-lumpy-skin-disease-in-france-and-italy-update-on-restrictions-on-certain-thermised-milk-and-milk-products
OVS note number: 2025/61
Date: 29 August 2025
Purpose
To provide clarity on the use of import authorisation IMP/GEN/2024/01 and health certificate GBHC416 and an update to OVS note 2025/52.
Background
Italy confirmed its first case of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) on 21 June 2025 on a cattle farm in Sardinia: WAHIS. France confirmed its first case of LSD on 29 June 2025 on a cattle farm in Chambéry: WAHIS.
Imports of the following bovine commodities from France and Italy were temporarily suspended through amendments to the relevant third country lists (see OVS notes 2025/44 and 2025/48):
- live animals
- germplasm
- offal (except diaphragm and masseter muscles)
- raw milk and raw dairy products, including raw colostrum
Imports of certain bovine-derived animal by-products from Italy and France are currently restricted through published safeguard declarations (see OVS note 2025/57).
Imports of bovine dairy products that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation
Under existing import rules, milk products for human consumption that have undergone a heat treatment lower than pasteurisation (i.e. thermisation) are considered neither raw milk products (column A in the milk and milk products list) or pasteurised products (Column B). Instead, they must be imported under General Authorisation IMP/GEN/2024/01 using certificate GBHC416.
Imports of raw bovine milk and milk products from Italy and France are currently suspended. In accordance with Regulation 853/2004, raw milk is defined as “milk produced by the secretion of the mammary gland of farmed animals that has not been heated to more than 40°C or undergone any treatment having an equivalent effect”. In practice, this means that bovine milk and milk products from Italy and France that meet this definition cannot be imported under the General Authorisation IMP/GEN/2024/01 using certificate GBHC416.
Please be aware, restrictions on imports from France and Italy of the following commodities remain in place:
- raw bovine milk and dairy products (including colostrum) for human consumption, which continue to be restricted through the approved country list
- milk and milk products not intended for human consumption (i.e. animal by-products), which continue to be restricted unless treated as set out in the safeguard declarations
Acceptable supporting document
Bovine milk products for human consumption that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation should be imported on certificate GBHC416 and be accompanied by supporting documentation (such as a manufacturing certificate or statement) detailing the heat treatment applied to the milk is above 40°C, i.e. that the milk or milk product does not fall within the definition of raw milk as defined in Annex 1, point 4.1 of Regulation 853/2004
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team