8 October 2025: Outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox in Serbia
Updated 15 October 2025
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OVS note number: 2025/69
Date: 08/10/2025
Purpose
To inform you that, following a recent outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox (SPGP) in Serbia, imports of the following commodities are temporarily suspended:
- fresh and chilled (untreated) hides and skins of sheep and goats
- hay and straw
Background
Serbia notified WOAH on 19 September 2025 of two outbreaks of SPGP, which were confirmed in the Raška District on 18 September 2025 in two backyard sheep flocks: WAHIS.
OVS note 2025/63 was issued on 22 September 2025, informing of the outbreak and requesting that imports from Serbia of fresh and chilled (untreated) hides and skins of sheep and goats, and hay and straw, be held while safeguard measures were implemented to temporarily suspend imports of these commodities.
Safeguard declarations under the Trade in Animals and Related Products (2011) (and equivalent powers in Scotland and Wales) have today (8 October 2025) been published on our topical issues page to suspend imports into Great Britain of the following commodities from Serbia:
- fresh and chilled (untreated) hides and skins of sheep and goats
- hay and straw
The following safeguard declarations, published on our topical issues page, give effect to these prohibitions:
- Declaration of special measures: Serbia (England)
- Declaration of special measures: Serbia (Wales)
- Declaration of special measures: Serbia (Scotland)
These safeguard measures apply from 9 October 2025 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.
Please note that General Authorisation IMP/GEN/2023/02, covering imports of hay and straw from non-EU countries into Scotland and England, has today (8 October 2025) been revoked. This has been replaced with General Authorisation IMP/GEN/2025/10 published on the General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products page, which omits Serbia from the list of countries authorised to import hay and straw into Great Britain.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team