New Welsh Order to Safeguard Animal Health: What You Need to Know

Starting from August 8, 2025, a new order will come into force in Wales aimed at preventing the spread of certain animal diseases. This legislation, known as the Animal Health (Import Controls) (Wales) Order 2025, prohibits the importation of specific animal products into Wales from territories under special transitional import arrangements. These territories include all European Economic Area (EEA) states, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Switzerland.

What Does the Order Entail?

The order specifically targets products derived from "susceptible animals" such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, camels, llamas, alpacas, and even elephants. The primary focus is on products intended for personal consumption or use. The ban covers a wide range of animal-derived products, including meat, dairy, and by-products.

Why Is This Order Important?

This measure is crucial for preventing the introduction and spread of severe animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, African swine fever, lumpy skin disease, and peste des petits ruminants. Despite extending to both England and Wales, the order is only applicable within Wales.

Are There Any Exemptions?

Yes, there are certain exemptions to this rule. For instance, the prohibition does not apply to:

• Infant and Medical Foods: Powdered infant milk, infant food, and medical foods that do not require refrigeration, are sealed in their original packaging, and are intended for personal use.
• Pet Foods: Pet food needed for health reasons, accompanying the pet during travel, and packaged for direct sale.
• Snacks and Confectionery: Certain baked goods and confectionery items containing limited percentages of processed dairy.
• Food Supplements: Packaged supplements with less than 20% processed animal products.
• Pasta and Noodles: These are allowed if they contain less than 50% processed dairy and do not include meat, provided they are shelf-stable.

However, these exemptions are only valid if the total weight of imported products does not exceed 2kg per person.

Final Thoughts

This order signifies a proactive step by the Welsh government to protect animal health and prevent potential outbreaks. While it might involve some additional checks for travelers and importers, the overarching goal is to safeguard the agricultural sector and public health in Wales.

Stay informed and ensure compliance with this new regulation, especially if you're planning to travel to Wales with animal products. For more detailed information, you can visit the official legislation website.