6 October 2025: Brucella canis testing requirements for commercially imported dogs from Romania
Updated 8 October 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/6-october-2025-brucella-canis-testing-requirements-for-commercially-imported-dogs-from-romania
OVS note number: 2025/64
Date: 6 October 2025
Purpose
To inform you that due to an increase in cases of Brucella canis (B. canis) in Great Britain, safeguard declarations have been published to require pre-import testing for Brucella canis for all dogs originating in or dispatched from Romania.
Background
Imported dogs originating or dispatched from Romania infected with B. canis present a risk to animal and human health.
Based on samples received by the National Reference Laboratory at Weybridge, Romania provides the highest total number of identified B. canis infected dogs of any commercially importing country into Great Britain (around half of all positive cases identified in Great Britain since 2020).
To mitigate against the risk of Brucella canis, new requirements mean that commercial importers of dogs originating in or despatched from Romania must ensure that:
- a negative test for Brucella canis from the National Reference Laboratory, Weybridge, is added alongside other supporting documents to the Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System (IPAFFS) 2 working days prior to travel; and
- the dog must enter into Great Britain no later than 30 calendar days after the date on which its blood sample was collected
Guidance on the new requirements can be found here: Brucella canis guidance.
The above requirements for pre-import testing of dogs originating in or dispatched from Romania have been implemented through the publication on our Imports topical issues page of the following safeguard declarations under the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 (and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales):
- Declaration of special measures: Romania Brucella canis (England)
- Declaration of special measures: Romania Brucella canis (Wales)
- Declaration of special measures: Romania Brucella canis (Scotland)
The new safeguard measures, published separately for England, Scotland and Wales, apply on a GB-wide basis from 7 October 2025 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk Imports and EU Trade Team