Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak in Italy & France

A recent outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been reported in Sardinia, Italy and the Savoie region, France. While LSD poses no risk to human health, it is a serious concern for livestock due to how rapidly it spreads and the financial impact it has on farmers and the broader agricultural sector.

Who is affected?

This update is particularly relevant to Australian importers of:

• Dairy or dairy-based ingredients for human consumption sourced from Italy & France
• Bovine fluids and tissues intended for laboratory research
• Pet food, stockfeed, and veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine material
• Bovine reproductive material

What has changed?

On 23 June 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) was officially notified of the outbreak. As a result:

• Italy & France are no longer recognised as free from Lumpy Skin Disease
• Italy & France have been removed from both the LSD-free country list and the list of countries approved for the export of bovine fluids and tissues to Australia

Affected goods now include:

• Dairy (excluding lactose and chocolate) sourced, manufactured, or exported from Italy & France
• Laboratory goods containing bovine fluids or tissues with Italian or French origin, manufacture, or export
• Laboratory goods referencing Italy or France on the approved country list for bovine materials
• Bovine reproductive material from Italy & France
• Pet food, stockfeed, and veterinary therapeutics containing bovine ingredients from Italy & France

DAFF will be contacting relevant import permit holders directly to advise on updated import requirements and next steps.

Goods currently in transit

For shipments already en route to Australia, DAFF will assess each case individually. If the biosecurity risk is deemed manageable, the goods may be cleared for release.

If you experience clearance issues or have concerns about your consignment, we encourage you to contact Mary, our Customs Broker, marys@transitainerwa.com.au for support.

Alternatively, you may contact imports@aff.gov.au for support.