British brie boom as French cows struck by lumpy skin disease

British cheese is booming this Christmas after a disease affecting French cows stopped brie from crossing the Channel.

Cheese makers and dairy farmers based in the UK have seen a sharp increase in orders for brie-style cheeses.

They have benefitted from the fallout of lumpy skin disease, which spread across France, Italy and Spain this year.

The disease can give cattle a fever, swollen lymph nodes and udders, and painful nodules on the infected animal’s skin.

While humans are not affected by the disease, authorities must be notified of its presence because of its potential impact on animals’ fertility. In rare cases, it can result in an animal’s death.

The Government imposed restrictions on imports of some types of unpasteurised cheese, including brie, from affected countries to prevent the disease spreading in Britain.

The illness can be spread through bovine products, as well as biting flies and mosquitoes.

Jonny Crickmore, a dairy farmer from Suffolk, said it was proving difficult to keep up with the surge in demand.