The import of raw milk cheeses from France and Italy into the UK are currently suspended by the government.

In late June 2025, outbreaks of lumpy skin disease were confirmed in both Italy and France, prompting the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to impose safeguarding measures. These started on 1 July, and included restricting the imports of unpasteurised and some thermised cheeses.

This has meant that any affected cheeses produced after 23 May this year cannot be imported into the UK. The restrictions mainly affect younger cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, and customers will have noticed that unpasteurised versions of these cheeses have disappeared from the shops in the intervening period as stocks have sold through.

We continue to monitor the situation, and sometimes bring in alternative cheeses when we think they are of good enough taste and quality, but it has led to considerable gaps in our range. This is particularly noticeable online. We are also trying to source pasteurised versions of the raw milk cheeses we usually sell. 

As things stand, imports remain suspended, as of end September.

Sheep and goat's cheese remains unaffected by these restrictions and is available normally.

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