Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency updated their guidance on 23 February 2026: the UK remains free of foot and mouth disease (FMD), and FMD is not a public health or food safety risk. Suspicions must be reported immediately to APHA on 03000 200 301 (England), 0300 303 8268 (Wales) or via Field Services in Scotland. (gov.uk)

There are no UK cases, but authorities list recent European outbreaks in Cyprus in February 2026, with earlier cases in Germany in January 2025 and in Hungary and Slovakia in March 2025. APHA’s assessment keeps the risk of FMD entering the UK at ‘low’. Slovakia has since been recognised FMD‑free, with GB special measures revoked from 24 February 2026. (gov.uk)

Trade matters first. Great Britain has imposed safeguards on commercial imports from Cyprus. Bans cover hay and straw and all live FMD‑susceptible animals, while tighter rules apply to germplasm, fresh meat, certain meat products, untreated milk and dairy, animal by‑products (including some pet food) and casings. Businesses should check the Defra ‘topical issues’ page for commodity‑specific conditions. (gov.uk)

‘Suitably treated’ is doing the heavy lifting. For meat products from susceptible species, acceptance hinges on recognised heat treatments (D1, D, C or B). For milk and dairy, Article 4 of assimilated Regulation 605/2010 sets acceptable processes such as UHT, specified HTST regimes or sterilisation. Importers should confirm that export health certificates explicitly attest to the relevant treatment. (gov.uk)

Personal allowances remain tight. Travellers cannot bring meat or dairy from the EU, EFTA states, the Faroe Islands or Greenland into Great Britain, aside from limited exemptions like powdered infant formula. Border officers are enforcing these disease‑control measures. (gov.uk)

Market read‑across is uneven. UK exposure to Cyprus is concentrated in dairy-principally halloumi. UN Comtrade data collated by Trading Economics show UK imports of Cypriot cheese and curd worth about $155m in 2024. Flows of untreated dairy face restrictions, while product meeting approved treatments can continue, albeit with extra paperwork. (tradingeconomics.com)

Livestock prices are steady‑to‑firm into late February. AHDB’s latest wrap puts GB deadweight steers and heifers around 636p/kg and 635p/kg respectively, with old season lamb (deadweight SQQ) at 713p/kg for the week ending 14 February. Seasonal demand linked to Ramadan, which runs roughly 17 February to 18 March this year, is already shaping lamb throughput. (ahdb.org.uk)

Pigs are the weak spot. The GB EU‑spec SPP slipped to 188.8p/kg in the week ending 7 February, pressured by heavier weights and softer EU prices. AHDB’s February outlook still flags downward price pressure through H1 2026, with some potential support later in the year if supply tightens. (pig-world.co.uk)

What importers should do now is practical rather than dramatic. Pre‑notify consignments on IPAFFS at least one working day before arrival and generate the correct CHED (P for animal products, D for high‑risk non‑animal origin as needed). Ensure export health certificates reference the required FMD treatments, and route goods via a BCP authorised for your commodity. (gov.uk)

Budget for border friction. Under the Border Target Operating Model, documentary/identity/physical checks apply to medium‑risk EU animal products; movements via Dover or Eurotunnel also attract the government’s Common User Charge of £29 per medium/high‑risk commodity line (capped at £145 per CHED). Port health authorities may levy separate inspection fees. (gov.uk)

Costing the paperwork helps small margins. Defra has cited typical export health certificate costs up to about £200 per consignment, while the Common User Charge cap is £145 per CHED at Dover/Eurotunnel. Mixed loads with multiple CHEDs can therefore add meaningful per‑lorry fees, so consolidating commodity lines where possible can reduce exposure. (questions-statements.parliament.uk)

On farm, vigilance beats volatility. Defra’s biosecurity guidance still applies: tighten visitor protocols, clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment, and isolate introduced or returning stock. The overall UK risk is low, but fast reporting remains the best insurance if clinical signs appear. (gov.uk)