“I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease,” the UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer said when personal import rules were tightened last year. That message lands back on the kitchen tables of hill and mixed farms across the North this week after Cyprus confirmed foot and mouth disease (FMD) on 20 February. There are still no UK cases. (gov.uk)

Defra has now suspended commercial imports from Cyprus of live ruminants and porcines, fresh meat, certain animal by‑products, untreated wool and hair, hay and straw, along with milk and dairy unless suitably treated. The change, implemented on 23 February, follows confirmation of cases in Larnaca and nearby sheep flocks. (gov.uk)

For travellers, the rules brought in on 12 April 2025 remain in force: you cannot bring meat or dairy from EU and EFTA countries, the Faroe Islands or Greenland into Great Britain for personal use. Border Force can seize items and, in serious cases in England, levy fines up to £5,000. Sandwiches and cured meats are included; only limited exemptions (such as infant formula) apply. (gov.uk)

The government’s latest published assessment still rates the risk of FMD entering the UK as low, and the last domestic outbreak was in 2007. FMD does not affect humans or food safety, but it spreads readily between cloven‑hoofed animals and via people, vehicles, kit and mud. (gov.uk)

What does that mean on farm this week? Keep visitor numbers down, record who comes on yard, and hold a clear ‘clean/dirty’ line at entrances. Wash down trailers, wheel arches and kit before and after stock contact; refresh foot dips, and use Defra‑approved disinfectants mixed to the right strength. These are small disciplines that cut real risk. (gov.uk)

If you suspect FMD, report it immediately: 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, or your local APHA Field Services Office in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840. It’s a legal duty to report notifiable disease, and acting fast protects neighbours and the wider supply chain. (gov.uk)

Marts and shows are gearing up for spring runs. Market operators and hauliers in the North should keep vehicles off stock lines wherever possible and maintain strict wash‑downs between jobs. Producers can help by penning to reduce contact, offering boot dips at access points and insisting on clean PPE for anyone crossing the line. (ahdb.org.uk)

Many readers remember how hard 2001 hit Cumbria and Dumfries & Galloway; whole valleys closed to visitors and more than six million animals lost nationally. Two decades on, the scars still shape how northern communities think about disease control-and why clear, early action matters. (itv.com)

Policy has tightened, but pressure points remain. The National Audit Office has highlighted low rates of physical checks on live animal imports, and Welsh farming leaders have warned about illegal meat coming in through passenger routes. It underlines why public compliance at the border is as important as on‑farm biosecurity. (ft.com)

Practical housekeeping goes a long way: isolate bought‑in or returning stock, don’t share dosing gear, and keep good water and feed hygiene. For visitors-engineers, reps, footpath users-make hand‑washing and boot cleaning non‑negotiable. It’s the boring stuff that keeps marts busy and lamb boxes moving. (gov.uk)

For context, Cyprus’s outbreak sits alongside the European flare‑ups seen in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia last year. UK recognition of Germany and later Hungary as FMD‑free allowed earlier commercial easements-but the personal import ban from the EU and nearby territories stays in place until risk falls. (gov.uk)

We’ll keep tabs on APHA’s outbreak assessments and any changes to restrictions. For now, the ask across northern counties is simple: keep the yard tight, keep records tidy, and pick up the phone the moment something looks amiss. That’s how the North stays open for business this spring. (gov.uk)