Contagious Nodular Dermatosis 2026: new restricted areas for livestock farmers in Spain

Key data

Bovine farms in certain areas of Spain have prohibited or conditional movement of animals, products and genetic material as of 10 April 2026. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/852 amends the annexes of the previous emergency regulation (Decision 2025/2248) to update the map of territories under restriction due to infection with the contagious nodular dermatosis virus, internationally known as lumpy skin disease.

This update is not a minor change: it involves reviewing which territories enter or exit the restriction regime, with direct consequences for the daily operations of thousands of livestock farms in Spain.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/852 does not create a new emergency regime, but rather updates the annexes of Decision 2025/2248, which already established emergency measures against contagious nodular dermatosis in Spain. The specific change consists of a review of the geographical areas subject to restrictions.

Contagious nodular dermatosis is a viral disease that affects exclusively bovine livestock. It can cause serious economic losses: animal mortality, decline in milk and meat production, veterinary costs and, above all, the commercial blockade that comes with being in a restricted area.

The control measures that apply in the areas included in the updated annexes are:

• Restrictions on the movement of bovine animals
• Restrictions on the movement of products of bovine origin
• Restrictions on the movement of genetic material (semen, embryos)
• Obligation to comply with specific health protocols established in Decision 2025/2248

The specific territories under restriction are detailed in the annexes of the decision, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 15 April 2026. It is essential to consult those annexes to determine whether a specific farm falls within or outside the restricted perimeter.

Economic and operational impact

Being included in a restricted area for nodular dermatosis has immediate operational and economic consequences for any bovine farm:

• Sales and transfer blockade: Animals cannot be moved out of the restricted area without veterinary authorization, which paralyzes sales to slaughterhouses, livestock fairs or transfers between farms.
• Genetic material restriction: The commercialization of bovine semen and embryos from restricted areas is conditional or blocked, affecting insemination centers and farms working with high-value genetics.
• Compliance costs: Operators must implement and document health protocols, which involves increased administrative burden and additional veterinary costs.
• Risk of sanctions: Non-compliance with restrictions may result in sanctions and loss of livestock traceability, with serious consequences for future commercialization.
• Impact on the meat chain: Operators in the meat sector who receive or process animals from restricted areas are also affected by traceability controls.

Who does it affect?

• Livestock farmers with bovine farms located in the geographical areas included in the updated annexes of Decision 2026/852
• Veterinarians providing services to bovine farms in affected areas, responsible for certifying compliance with health protocols
• Operators in the meat sector (slaughterhouses, cutting rooms, marketers) who receive or process animals or products from restricted areas
• Insemination centers and bovine genetic material operators (semen, embryos) in areas under restriction
• Livestock transport operators operating in or from affected areas
• Regional veterinary authorities, responsible for supervising and enforcing emergency measures

Practical example

A bovine farm in an autonomous community whose province has been included in the new annexes of Decision 2026/852 plans to transfer a batch of calves to a slaughterhouse located outside that area. As of 10 April 2026, that movement is subject to the restrictions in force: the farmer needs to verify whether the transfer is permitted, obtain the corresponding veterinary authorization and prove compliance with the health protocols established in Decision 2025/2248.

If the farmer carries out the transfer without meeting these requirements, he is exposed to sanctions and the traceability of the animals may be compromised, which can block their commercialization at destination and generate additional liabilities for the receiving slaughterhouse.

The first step is to consult the updated annexes to confirm whether the farm is within the restricted perimeter. If it is, it should contact the regional veterinary authority before carrying out any movement of animals, products or genetic material.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated annexes of Decision 2026/852 in the Official Journal of the EU to verify whether the farm or area of operation is included in the new restricted areas.
2. Contact the regional veterinary authority to confirm the status of the farm and receive specific instructions on the applicable health protocols.
3. Review all planned movements of animals, products and genetic material and suspend or condition those departing from or arriving at restricted areas until obtaining the corresponding authorization.
4. Document compliance with the health protocols required by Decision 2025/2248, as non-compliance may result in sanctions and compromise livestock traceability.
5. Inform operators in the supply chain (transporters, slaughterhouses, buyers) about the status of the farm to avoid traceability problems at destination.
6. Stay updated on possible new amendments to the annexes, as the epidemiological situation may evolve and generate new regulatory updates.