Britain’s environment ministry has placed itself on heightened alert as foot-and-mouth disease spreads in Cyprus and the Middle East, with UK authorities confirming the outbreak was caused by a strain that entered the island via Turkey.
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in its latest assessment that the epidemic affecting Cyprus is caused by the SAT1 strain, which entered the region through Turkey.
The DEFRA report describes SAT1 as “exotic” to the Western Asia and Caucasus region and notes it caused hundreds of outbreaks in Turkey before reaching Cyprus. Turkey has reported a total of 1,144 SAT1 cases in 2025, with 639 new cases recorded recently.
The virus was detected on 14 December in Lapathos village in the Famagusta district in the occupied areas, where a second outbreak has since been reported.
Turkey has sent 200,000 vaccine doses to the occupied areas, as livestock there lack natural immunity to this particular strain.
London is closely monitoring developments in Cyprus, noting that no cases or suspicions of the disease have been reported in the free areas, where the Republic of Cyprus Veterinary Services are following EU legislation that does not provide for preventive vaccination.
In the occupied areas, authorities have imposed movement bans, quarantine measures and disinfectant mats, whilst an EU Emergency Veterinary Team has visited the region.
“The appearance of the SAT1 strain in Cyprus, combined with the huge number of cases in Turkey and new outbreaks in Lebanon, demonstrates the high transmissibility and potentially catastrophic nature of the virus,” the DEFRA report states.
Despite the serious situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, DEFRA assesses the risk of the virus entering Britain as “low” because no trade in live animals or animal products takes place from the affected area to the UK.
However, UK authorities are warning travellers from Cyprus and Turkey that illegal imports of meat or dairy products can lead to prosecution and heavy fines. British farmers have also been reminded of the strict ban on using kitchen waste for animal feed.
Whilst there are concerns about potential UK measures affecting halloumi, Republic of Cyprus authorities are hopeful that strong cooperation with the UK Bases and disinfection measures at the Pergamos and Strovilia crossing points will prove a deterrent.
The outbreak has triggered a domino effect of international restrictions. Australia has banned halloumi trade, and the Cypriot authorities are working to persuade the Australian authorities to accept halloumi shipments currently en route to the country.
Canada imposed strict restrictions on imports from Cyprus effective 24 December 2025, aiming to protect Canadian livestock from the disease, which is highly contagious to cloven-hoofed animals.
Canadian authorities have banned the import of fresh meat, unpasteurised milk and dairy products, and genetic material. Products collected or slaughtered before 14 November 2025 can be imported if they bear the relevant date on official documents.
Current guidance suggests halloumi exports to Canada appear unaffected, as the product undergoes heat treatment and processes that neutralise the virus.
Saudi Arabia, one of Cyprus’s most important trading partners in the region, is studying the possibility of imposing a full embargo on halloumi imports and has already informed Cyprus authorities, causing significant concern among Cypriot cheesemakers.
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