Additional import controls have been introduced to protect UK sheep and goats against ‘peste des petits ruminants (PPR)’. As from 18 December 2024, commercially produced and packaged sheep and goat milk and milk products are not permitted from Bulgaria. This is because of an outbreak of PPR in Bulgaria last month.

This is an update to import controls that were introduced in August to safeguard Britain’s sheep and goat populations from outbreaks of PPR that have occurred in mainland Europe.

PPR does not pose a risk to human health but is a highly contagious disease that affects goats and sheep.

Unpackaged sheep and goat meat and meat products or unpackaged sheep and goat milk and milk products cannot be brought in from the European Union (EU), European Free Trade Association States, Greenland and Faroe Islands. In addition, commercially produced and packaged sheep and goat milk and milk products are not permitted from Greece and Romania. Bulgaria now joins that list.

Besides avoiding bringing or importing affected goat and sheep products into the UK, the government have also issued reminders to be careful about disposing leftovers or food waste in secure bins that sheep, goats, or wildlife cannot access.

Farmers should continue to practice high biosecurity standards, including never feeding catering waste, kitchen scraps or meat or milk products to sheep and goats.