Livery yard owners are being encouraged to review their hay and straw supplies and plan ahead following the introduction of tighter UK import restrictions designed to protect livestock from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The new measures, introduced by DEFRA on 27 October 2026, place additional restrictions on imports of hay and straw from countries, territories and zones that are not officially recognised as free from foot-and-mouth disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The changes extend the previous country-specific restrictions, which followed outbreaks of FMD in Greece and Cyprus earlier this year, to cover a wider range of countries that do not hold recognised disease-free status.
The measures apply to England and Wales from 27 October and Scotland from 28 October 2026. Imports from recognised FMD-free countries remain permitted, subject to the usual import requirements and any applicable conditions.
Why have the restrictions been introduced?
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
Although horses are not susceptible to FMD, they can potentially contribute to the spread of infection through contaminated materials, equipment, vehicles and feed or bedding.
Hay and straw are considered potential routes of transmission because contaminated plant material can carry the virus. Restricting imports from countries where FMD is present or where recognised disease-free status has not been established is intended to reduce the risk of introducing the disease into Great Britain.
The restrictions are a preventative biosecurity measure, rather than a response to an outbreak within the UK. There are currently no confirmed cases of FMD in Great Britain.
What does this mean for hay and straw supplies?
The immediate impact will depend on the origin of imported supplies and how reliant UK suppliers are on countries affected by the new restrictions.
Not all imported hay and straw are affected. Countries recognised by WOAH as free from FMD, including France, remain eligible to export, subject to the relevant import conditions.
However, restricting additional sources may reduce the number of countries from which UK businesses can legally source supplies. This could create additional pressure on the market, particularly where alternative suppliers are already committed or where domestic production is affected by seasonal conditions.
For livery yards, this creates the potential for:
- Reduced availability of certain imported hay and straw products.
- Increased competition for supplies from alternative sources.
- Longer lead times and potential delivery delays.
- Increased transport and procurement costs.
- Price increases as suppliers adjust to changes in availability and demand.
It is too early to establish the scale of any impact on UK prices or overall availability, but the changes provide another reason for yards to review their winter forage and bedding arrangements rather than waiting until stocks run low.
What should livery yard owners be doing?
While there is no need to panic-buy or stockpile unnecessarily, some straightforward forward planning could help reduce the risk of disruption.
1. Review your current stocks
Establish how much hay and straw you currently have available and how long it is likely to last at your normal rate of consumption.
Consider the number of horses on the yard, daily forage requirements, bedding arrangements and any additional winter demand.
2. Speak to your suppliers
Contact your usual hay and straw suppliers to understand where their products originate and whether their supply chains are affected by the new restrictions.
Ask whether they anticipate changes to availability, delivery schedules or pricing, and whether alternative sourcing arrangements are already in place.
3. Plan purchases in advance
If you normally purchase forage and bedding on a monthly or ad hoc basis, consider whether securing supplies further ahead would provide greater certainty.
Discuss availability and pricing with suppliers and, where practical, consider agreeing forward orders or reserving suitable quantities.
Avoid committing to more stock than you can safely store or reasonably afford.
4. Review your storage arrangements
Making the most of existing stocks is just as important as securing new supplies.
Ensure hay and straw are stored in dry, well-ventilated conditions, protected from rain and ground moisture. Poor storage can lead to deterioration, mould and unnecessary wastage.
Review how forage is distributed and whether feeding practices could be improved to minimise losses.
5. Consider alternative forage and bedding options
If your usual supplies become difficult to obtain or significantly more expensive, it may be worth investigating suitable alternatives.
Depending on individual horse requirements, forage alternatives could include haylage, chopped forage or other fibre-based products. Bedding alternatives may include wood pellets, shavings or other suitable materials.
Any dietary changes should be introduced carefully, with advice from an equine nutritionist or veterinary professional where appropriate. Sudden changes to forage or bedding arrangements should be avoided.
6. Review your yard budget and pricing
For commercial livery businesses, forage and bedding can represent a significant proportion of operating costs.
If supplier prices increase, the additional expense may have a direct impact on operating margins, particularly where livery rates are fixed for an extended period.
Review your current costings, consider the potential impact of different price increases and factor these into future budgeting and pricing decisions.
Where necessary, communicate openly with clients about changes in supply costs and how these may affect livery charges.
7. Keep up to date with import restrictions
Import requirements can change as disease situations develop and countries gain or lose recognised disease-free status.
Keep an eye on DEFRA announcements and ensure that suppliers are aware of the current requirements.
The latest guidance is available through GOV.UK.
Planning ahead is better than reacting later
The introduction of these additional restrictions is a reminder of how international animal disease outbreaks can have consequences beyond the livestock sectors directly affected.
Although horses cannot contract foot-and-mouth disease, the equestrian industry is not necessarily insulated from its wider economic and supply-chain effects.
For livery yard owners, the sensible approach is to understand where supplies come from, assess current stocks, maintain good supplier relationships and plan ahead for potential changes in availability and cost.
A little preparation now could help avoid unnecessary pressure on both yard operations and budgets as winter progresses.