Confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus prompts calls for vigilance
26th February 2026
Livestock keepers have been asked to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) following the confirmation of the disease in cattle and sheep in Cyprus.
The UK chief veterinary officer confirmed that the government has applied restrictions on certain Cypriot commercial imports to Great Britain. These measures are necessary to mitigate the risk of disease and to safeguard UK livestock, agricultural production and biosecurity, DEFRA said.
Commercial imports of cheeses from Cyprus, including halloumi, remain permitted provided they meet the heat treatment requirements and are accompanied by the mandatory health certificate.
Personal imports of meat and dairy, including halloumi, from the EU remain prohibited in line with restrictions brought in last year.
‘Exercise utmost vigilance for signs of disease’
UK chief veterinary officer dr Christine Middlemiss said: “Foot-and-mouth disease has now been confirmed in Cyprus. We remain in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation.
“Robust plans are already in place to minimise the risk of disease incursion to support Britain’s farming community and food security.
“Livestock keepers are reminded to continue exercising the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
There are currently no FMD cases in the UK. It poses no risk to human or food safety but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas. Livestock keepers should, therefore, be absolutely rigorous about their biosecurity.
FMD causes significant economic losses due to production losses in the affected animals as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat, and milk for affected countries.
Since 12th April 2025, travellers have been banned from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use. This followed a rise of disease cases across mainland Europe. All travellers are urged to ensure they are not bringing these products into the country.
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