Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency updated the official foot and mouth disease page on 17 March 2026 to reflect confirmed cases in Greece (March 2026) and Cyprus (February 2026). There are no UK cases; the last outbreak was in 2007. Officials continue to rate the risk of FMD entering the UK as low and stress that it is not a public health or food safety risk. (gov.uk)

For food businesses, this translates into targeted import curbs on consignments originating in Greece and Cyprus. Defra lists restrictions on hay and straw; any live FMD‑susceptible species; and products such as germplasm, fresh meat, meat products unless heat‑treated, milk and dairy unless suitably treated, animal by‑products including pet food, and natural casings. Separately, travellers may not bring meat or dairy into Great Britain for personal use from the EU, EFTA, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. (gov.uk)

What counts as “suitably treated” matters now. Defra/APHA guidance references recognised heat‑treatment categories for meat products (for example D or D1) that allow entry when correctly certified; dairy products must meet specified thermal processes. The UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance temporarily suspended imports of susceptible commodities from Cyprus on 23 February 2026 while safeguards were put in place. Importers should ensure export health certificates carry the right attestations and match what is declared on the CHED. (gov.uk)

Short‑term friction is most likely in three areas: Greek and Cypriot dairy lines such as feta and halloumi, natural casings for processors, and small‑run pet foods using goat or lamb by‑products. Cyprus is vaccinating herds and culling animals to contain the disease; officials there say production and exports to key markets, including the UK, are protected by manufacturing safety measures, though documentation and port checks could still slow shipments. (apnews.com)

UK demand exposure is real. CySTAT data reported by Politis show the UK remains the main destination for Cypriot halloumi, accounting for about 45% of exports in 2025, so any bottleneck in certification or haulage is quickly felt on British shelves. Expect retailers to trim promotions before the spring barbecue season if lead times stretch. (en.politis.com.cy)

Macro context helps: AHDB estimates the UK dairy trade deficit widened to roughly £1.63bn in 2024, with import volumes higher year on year across most categories into late 2025. That reliance doesn’t mean shortages are inevitable, but it does raise the odds of temporary tightness in Mediterranean cheese and selected ready‑to‑eat lines if paperwork isn’t watertight. (ahdb.org.uk)

Case study scenario one: a mid‑sized London wholesaler pauses Greek and Cypriot purchase orders while suppliers evidence the correct heat treatments and health certificates. Orders are re‑split between treated goods from approved plants and alternative EU suppliers for comparable SKUs, accepting a short‑term hit to margin while labels and allergens are rechecked.

Case study scenario two: a premium pet‑food brand using lamb offal pivots to UK and Irish inputs for its next batch while it validates whether Greek or Cypriot by‑products meet the processing and documentation standards for animal by‑products. Existing lots move if they carry the right attestation; future runs depend on what plants can certify at origin. (gov.uk)

Compliance first, then price. Pre‑notify consignments in IPAFFS with a CHED‑P, ensure the weights and commodity codes match across IPAFFS, health certificates and customs entries, and ask suppliers to state the precise treatment used on official paperwork. Keep a line open to your Port Health team for borderline cases; that ten‑minute call often prevents a multi‑day hold. (gov.uk)

For travellers and micro‑importers, the rule stays blunt: do not bring meat or dairy from the EU, EFTA, the Faroe Islands or Greenland into Great Britain for personal use. Border agencies enforce this routinely and the suspension was reconfirmed in March 2026. Businesses should keep monitoring Defra/APHA updates as the animal‑health picture evolves. (gov.uk)