Key data
| Regulation | Order APA/1082/2026, of October 7, establishing specific protection measures in relation to blue tongue |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 14, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the regulation |
| Affected parties | Holders of cattle, sheep and goat farms throughout the national territory |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| Repeals | Previous blue tongue regulations (entirely replaced) |
| European framework | New EU Regulation that reclassifies the disease as category D+E from November 1 |
Cattle, sheep and goat farmers throughout Spain face a complete change in regulatory framework from October 2026. Order APA/1082/2026 is not a partial modification: it repeals the previous regulations in their entirety and adapts the Spanish system to the new European Union Regulation, which reclassifies blue tongue as a disease of category D+E effective from November 1.
The impact is not the same across the entire territory. The regulation establishes three different regimes depending on the zone, with different obligations for each. Knowing which zone each farm operates in is the first step to understanding what needs to be done.
What does this regulation establish?
Order APA/1082/2026 structures the national territory into three types of zones with different status and obligations:
| Zone | Status | Vaccination | Additional obligations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | Blue tongue-free zone | No specific program applies | Maintain the status of free zone |
| Balearic Islands | Mandatory control and eradication program | Mandatory against the serotypes included in the program | Registration in RIIA; compliance with the regional program |
| Mainland | No specific status | Voluntary (Regional governments can extend the obligation) | Registration in RIIA of all vaccinations performed |
In addition to zoning, the regulation establishes two prohibitions and one traceability obligation that affect the entire territory:
- Prohibition of live attenuated vaccines throughout the national territory.
- Mandatory registration of all vaccinations in the official RIIA database, regardless of whether vaccination is voluntary or mandatory.
- Autonomous communities can extend the obligation of vaccination without generating restrictions on animal movements between territories.
The European reclassification as category D+E means that the disease is now managed with a combined approach of control (category D) and eradication where possible (category E), which justifies the specific program for the Balearic Islands and the free status of the Canary Islands.
Economic and operational impact
The most immediate impact for most mainland farms is operational and traceability-related: all vaccination against blue tongue must be registered in the RIIA. This requires coordination with the farm veterinarian and verification that registration systems are up to date.
For farms in the Balearic Islands, the impact is greater: mandatory vaccination against the serotypes in the program represents a direct cost in vaccines and administration that is not optional. Farms that do not comply with the control and eradication program fall outside the regulatory framework.
A relevant aspect for commercial operations: autonomous communities that extend the obligation of vaccination cannot use that decision to restrict animal movements. This protects livestock circulation between territories and prevents internal commercial barriers resulting from regional decisions.
The prohibition of live attenuated vaccines requires reviewing current vaccination protocols and ensuring that the products used comply with this restriction.
Who does it affect?
- Holders of cattle farms throughout the national territory.
- Holders of sheep farms throughout the national territory.
- Holders of goat farms throughout the national territory.
- Farm veterinarians responsible for registering vaccinations in the RIIA.
- Farms in the Balearic Islands: affected by the mandatory control and eradication program.
- Farms in the Canary Islands: must maintain the status of free zone.
- Autonomous communities: can extend the obligation of vaccination in their territory.
Practical example
A sheep farm in Mallorca with 500 head is directly affected by the mandatory Balearic program. The holder must:
- Identify the serotypes included in the regional control and eradication program.
- Mandatorily vaccinate against those serotypes with vaccines that are not live attenuated (live attenuated vaccines are prohibited).
- Register each vaccination in the RIIA database through the farm veterinarian.
In contrast, a cattle farm in Castile and León can choose not to vaccinate (vaccination is voluntary on the mainland). However, if it decides to vaccinate, it is equally obligated to register it in the RIIA. If its autonomous community extends the obligation, it must comply with that regional program, but movements of its animals to other communities cannot be restricted for that reason.
What should companies do now?
- Identify the zone in which the farm operates (Canary Islands, Balearic Islands or mainland) to know the applicable regime.
- If you are in the Balearic Islands: contact the regional veterinary authorities to learn about the serotypes included in the mandatory program and initiate the vaccination protocol.
- Review the vaccination products in use: verify that no vaccine used is live attenuated type, as they are prohibited throughout the territory.
- Coordinate with the farm veterinarian the registration of all vaccinations in the RIIA database, both mandatory and voluntary.
- Consult with the autonomous community if it has extended or plans to extend the obligation of vaccination in the corresponding mainland or island territory.
- Update internal protocols for vaccine traceability to comply with the new registration requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is vaccination against blue tongue mandatory throughout Spain?
No. Vaccination is mandatory only in the Balearic Islands, where there is a control and eradication program, and only against the serotypes included in that program. On the mainland, vaccination is voluntary, although autonomous communities can extend the obligation in their territory. The Canary Islands have the status of a free zone and are not subject to the same regime.
What is the RIIA and why do I have to register vaccinations?
The RIIA is the official database for registration of animal identification and information. Order APA/1082/2026 requires that all vaccinations against blue tongue be registered in the RIIA, regardless of whether they are mandatory or voluntary. This registration is the responsibility of the farm veterinarian and is a traceability requirement of the new regulation.
Can I continue using the vaccines I had before?
It depends on the type. Order APA/1082/2026 expressly prohibits the use of live attenuated vaccines throughout the national territory. If the farm used this type of vaccine, it must switch to authorized products. Consult with your veterinarian to verify that the products in use comply with this restriction.
If my autonomous community makes vaccination mandatory, can they restrict animal movement?
No. The regulation expressly establishes that if an autonomous community extends the obligation of vaccination, that decision cannot be used to restrict animal movements between territories. This protects livestock circulation at the national level.
What changes compared to the previous blue tongue regulation?
Order APA/1082/2026 entirely repeals the previous regulation and adapts the Spanish framework to the new EU Regulation, which reclassifies blue tongue as a disease of category D+E from November 1. The main changes are: new zoning of the territory (Canary Islands free, Balearic Islands with mandatory program, mainland with no specific status), prohibition of live attenuated vaccines and obligation to register in the RIIA for all vaccinations.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21319
