New African Swine Fever control zones in Europe 2026: what changes for the pork sector

Key data

If you trade in pigs, pork meat products or genetic material in the EU, this regulation may have changed the rules of the game for your operations without you realizing it yet. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2371, published on 23 October 2026 and in force from the previous day, amends Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which is the official map of African swine fever (ASF) control zones in Europe.

The key point is that the reclassification of a territory—moving from zone I to zone II, or from zone II to zone III—automatically implies a change in applicable restrictions. And this directly affects the movement of live animals, the requirements for meat products and the pork genetic material entering or leaving those zones.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2023/594 established a zoning system to manage ASF risk in Europe. This system classifies territories into three risk levels, each with its own restrictions:

Regulation (EU) 2026/2371 updates the geographical delimitation of these zones in Annex I, incorporating the most recent epidemiological changes. This means that certain territories that were previously in one category are now in another, with the consequent immediate change in applicable obligations.

The regulation is of direct application in all EU Member States: it does not require national transposition or additional regulatory development. It entered into force on 22 October 2026, one day before its official publication.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this regulation is not abstract: it translates into concrete operational and economic consequences for any company in the pork sector operating in areas affected by the reclassification.

• Movement of live animals: If the territory of origin or destination has moved up in zone, the health requirements prior to transport are tightened. This may involve additional tests, waiting periods or the need for specific veterinary certificates that were not previously mandatory.
• Meat products and derivatives: Operators exporting or importing pork products from or to reclassified zones must review whether their batches comply with the new documentary requirements. A batch that was valid yesterday may not be valid today if the territory of origin has moved to zone III.
• Pork genetic material: Pork semen, eggs and embryos are also subject to these restrictions. Operators of pork insemination and genetics centers must verify their updated geographical situation.
• Export blocking: Non-compliance with zone restrictions can result in administrative sanctions and, more seriously from an operational perspective, blocking of intra-community exports.
• Adaptation costs: Reviewing documentation, obtaining new certifications or adapting logistics routes generates direct costs that must be budgeted immediately.

Who does it affect?

• Pig farmers with farms in territories that have changed zone category.
• Meat industry and slaughterhouses that receive animals or export products from or to reclassified zones.
• Intra-community trade operators of live pigs, fresh, processed or transformed pork products.
• Pork genetics centers that market genetic material (semen, embryos, eggs) with origin or destination in affected zones.
• Transport and logistics operators specialized in the pork sector that manage movements between Member States.
• Veterinarians and sector advisors who certify movements or issue health documentation.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish meat company that regularly buys live pigs from a supplier in a territory in Eastern Europe. Until 21 October 2026, that territory was classified as zone I, which allowed movements with standard health documentation.

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2026/2371 on 22 October 2026, that same territory is now classified as zone II. From that moment on, movements of live animals from that zone require enhanced health documentation and possibly additional diagnostic tests prior to transport.

If the Spanish meat company does not review the new zone map and continues to operate as before, its next batches may be blocked at the border or at the inspection point, generating direct economic losses due to goods immobilization, storage costs and possible administrative sanctions. Reviewing the updated Annex I is not optional: it is the first action any sector operator must take.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/594 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/2371, and identify whether the territories of origin or destination of your operations have changed zone (I, II or III).
2. Review all ongoing contracts and orders involving movement of live animals, pork meat products or genetic material from or to potentially reclassified territories.
3. Update the health documentation required for each movement according to the new zone classification. Coordinate with the official veterinarian or health advisor to obtain the correct certificates.
4. Communicate the changes to affected suppliers and customers, especially if they operate in territories that have changed category, to avoid supply chain blockages.
5. Review logistics procedures and adapt routes or inspection points if current movements no longer comply with the requirements of the new zoning.
6. Document all actions taken as evidence of due diligence in the face of possible inspections or administrative sanctions.

Official source

Consult full regulation in 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_202602371