1 August 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Importers of dairy (excluding cheese, chocolate and lactose) for human consumption from Switzerland.
Importers of bovine fluids and tissues for laboratory research from Switzerland.
Importers of veterinary therapeutics from Switzerland.
Importers of bovine reproductive material from Switzerland.
What has changed?
On 19 July 2025, the Swiss Government commenced vaccinating cattle against lumpy skin disease (LSD) as a precaution following earlier outbreaks in France and Italy. As a result, the department no longer recognises Switzerland as free from LSD without vaccination and has now removed this country from the LSD-free country list and the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues.
Impacted goods include:
- Dairy* products for human consumption (excluding cheese, lactose and chocolate for human consumption), that is sourced, manufactured or exported from Switzerland
- Laboratory goods containing bovine fluids or tissues that list Switzerland as a country of origin, manufacture or export
- Laboratory goods that reference the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues
- Bovine reproductive material sourced from Switzerland
- Veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine material from Switzerland.
*Permit holders for dairy products imported from Switzerland will be contacted to have their permits amended. Dairy permit holders from other countries are not impacted by the removal of Switzerland from the LSD-Country Freedom List as the LSD freedom conditions have already been removed for this commodity type.
Note: A separate Imports industry advice notice (214-2025: Changes to Import Conditions for Dairy Products for Human Consumption) has been published for dairy products.
Future biosecurity arrangements
The department will contact individual import permit holders shortly to advise them on ongoing arrangements for their import permits.
For goods that are currently in transit to Australia
The department will assess these goods on a case-by-case basis, and if the biosecurity risk can be effectively managed, the goods can be released.
If you experience clearance issues, please contact imports@aff.gov.au for assistance.
Further information
Please contact the department by phone 1800 900 090 or email to imports@aff.gov.au if you have any questions.
More information about LSD and the trade situation in Europe can be found on the department’s website. Note the website will be updated with more information as it becomes available.