New African Swine Fever control zones in Europe 2026: what livestock farmers and exporters must verify

Key data

If you operate in the pork sector—as a farmer, transporter, slaughterhouse or exporter—this regulation can halt your commercial routes overnight. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1795 amends Annex I of Regulation 2023/594, updating the geographical delimitation of zones subject to special control measures for African Swine Fever (ASF). The changes respond to the epidemiological evolution of the disease in European territory and take effect from 16 July 2026.

Spain, as a Member State, must transpose these changes to its border controls and traceability systems immediately.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2023/594 is the base regulation governing special ASF control measures in the EU. Its Annex I defines with geographical precision the zones of European territory classified according to the level of health risk. The new Regulation 2026/1795 updates that annex by adding or removing areas based on the current epidemiological situation.

Zones are classified into different restriction levels that directly condition sector operations:

The logic of the system is clear: the higher the restriction level of the zone, the more limited the permitted commercial operations. Farms located in higher-risk zones may see their ability to sell outside that area completely vetoed.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not only health-related: it is directly economic. A farm that is included in a restriction zone loses access to its usual markets while that classification remains in place. The concrete effects are:

• Export blockade: products originating in restricted zones cannot be exported to third countries, which particularly affects exporters of ham, processed meats and fresh meat.
• Paralysis of live animal movement: pigs from farms in affected zones cannot be freely transferred to slaughterhouses outside the zone, forcing operators to seek local solutions or assume additional logistics costs.
• Traceability and documentation costs: operators must prove the origin of their products and comply with enhanced traceability controls, which implies greater administrative burden.
• Risk of sanctions: non-compliance with restrictions may result in sanctions and export blockades, as expressly established by the regulation.
• Impact on contracts and commercial commitments: supply contracts with customers in other regions or countries may be breached if the zone of origin becomes restricted.

For Spain, the regulation requires immediate updating of border controls and traceability systems, which also affects the veterinary administration and operators working with goods in transit.

Who does it affect?

• Pork livestock farmers whose farms fall within the newly delimited or adjacent zones.
• Slaughterhouses that receive animals from affected zones or dispatch products to other regions.
• Transporters of live pigs or pork products operating routes that cross the new restriction zones.
• Traders and exporters of pork meat, ham, processed meats and pork by-products destined for other Member States or third countries.
• Logistics operators and customs agents managing pork goods in transit through affected zones.
• Veterinary and border control authorities in Spain, which must update their inspection protocols.

Practical example

Imagine a pork farm located in a region of eastern Europe that, with the update of Annex I, is included in a high-level restriction zone. Until 15 July 2026, that farm sent live pigs to a slaughterhouse in another Member State and exported processed products to Asian markets.

From 16 July 2026—the date Regulation 2026/1795 enters into force—those movements are conditioned or directly blocked. The farmer must verify in the updated Annex I whether his municipality or region is included in the new delimitation, identify what restriction level applies to him and, if affected, reorganize his supply chain: find a slaughterhouse within the zone, temporarily suspend exports to third countries and strengthen traceability documentation for any permitted movement.

If he does not act and continues operating as before, he exposes himself to administrative sanctions and export blockades, with consequent reputational damage to international customers.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated Annex I of Regulation 2023/594 in its version amended by Regulation 2026/1795 to verify whether your farm, slaughterhouse or transport route falls within any restriction zone.
2. Identify the restriction level applicable to your geographical area, as limitations vary depending on the zone classification assigned.
3. Review all current supply and export contracts to detect possible breaches resulting from the new movement restrictions.
4. Update traceability and documentation procedures to prove the origin of animals and products in each movement, especially if you operate in bordering zones.
5. Contact the competent veterinary authority in your autonomous community to learn how Spain transposes the new border and traceability controls required by the regulation.
6. Cautiously suspend affected movements until it is confirmed that the operation complies with current restrictions, to avoid sanctions and export blockades.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601795