African Swine Fever Restricted Zones 2026: What Changes for the Pork Sector

Key data

Pork farms, slaughterhouses and meat operators with activity in zones affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) must urgently review their geographical situation. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/985, in force since 24 April 2026, updates the lists of restricted zones in the affected Member States, reclassifying territories among the three existing risk categories.

This regulation modifies Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which is the base framework for special ASF control measures in the European Union. This is not a brand new regulation: it is an update of a zoning system that is reviewed frequently and has direct operational consequences for the entire pork value chain.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/985 updates the map of ASF-restricted zones in the EU, reclassifying territories of different Member States among three risk levels. Each level determines a different regime of restrictions:

The specific changes involve the reclassification of territories among these zones, which may mean that a farm or route that previously operated under the conditions of one zone is now subject to the restrictions of another zone that is more or less restrictive.

The zoning system affects three categories of products and operations:

• Live pork animals: movement between farms, to slaughterhouses and between Member States
• Meat products: marketing, processing and export of pork meat and derivatives
• Pork genetic material: semen, eggs and embryos intended for reproduction

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this update is not uniform: it depends on whether your farm or commercial route has been reclassified to a more or less restrictive zone.

If your territory moves to a zone with greater restrictions (e.g. from Zone I to Zone II or III):

• Additional restrictions on animal movement that may paralyze already planned shipments
• Possible blocking of intra-community exports and exports to third countries from affected zones
• Need to obtain new certifications or comply with additional conditions to move products
• Risk of sanctions for operations carried out without complying with new zonal restrictions

If your territory moves to a zone with fewer restrictions (e.g. from Zone II to Zone I):

• Possibility of resuming movements or exports that were blocked
• Reduction of administrative burdens and compliance costs
• Opportunity to recover intra-community trade routes and customers

The impact on the meat supply chain can be significant: slaughterhouses receiving animals from reclassified zones must verify that movements comply with the new conditions before accepting deliveries. Transporters must update their routes and documentation.

Who does it affect?

• Pork farmers with farms in territories included in the new delimitations of zones I, II or III
• Slaughterhouses that receive animals from restricted zones or that operate within them
• Meat operators that market, process or export pork products from affected zones
• Live animal transporters whose routes cross or have origin/destination in restricted zones
• Exporters of pork meat, meat products or genetic material destined for other Member States or third countries
• Intra-community importers that receive pork products from reclassified zones

Practical example

A farmer with a pork farm in a territory that has been reclassified from Zone I to Zone II by Regulation 2026/985 finds that the live animal movements he previously carried out under Zone I conditions now require compliance with stricter requirements specific to Zone II.

If he had scheduled a shipment of animals to a slaughterhouse in another Member State, that movement may be blocked or require additional documentation and specific health certifications for Zone II. If the destination slaughterhouse is not prepared to receive animals from Zone II, the shipment may be rejected.

Conversely, a meat operator whose territory has moved from Zone III to Zone II may recover the possibility of exporting meat products to destinations that were previously closed due to restrictions of the more severe zone, opening commercial opportunities that had been closed for some time.

In both cases, the key is to precisely identify which zone each farm or point in the chain falls into according to the new updated Annex I, before making any movement or shipment.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the zone assigned to each farm or point of operation: Consult the updated Annex I of Regulation 2023/594 according to the modification introduced by Regulation 2026/985 to identify whether your facilities or routes have been reclassified.
2. Review all scheduled movements: Before executing any shipment of live animals, meat products or genetic material, confirm that it complies with the restrictions applicable to the new assigned zone.
3. Update transport and health documentation: Transporters must ensure that the documentation accompanying animals and products reflects the correct zone of origin and complies with the requirements of the new classification.
4. Communicate changes to customers and suppliers: Inform slaughterhouses, meat operators and intra-community customers about any reclassification that affects agreed supplies, to avoid rejections or contractual breaches.
5. Establish an alert system for future updates: The lists of restricted zones are reviewed frequently. Implement a continuous monitoring process of Annex I of Regulation 2023/594 to detect new reclassifications as soon as they are published.
6. Consult with the competent veterinary authority: If you have any doubts about the classification of a farm or the feasibility of a specific movement, contact the animal health authority of the corresponding autonomous community or Member State.