Contagious Nodular Dermatosis in Spain 2026: Restricted Zones and What Livestock Farmers Must Do

Key data

Cattle and ruminant farms in Spain face new operational restrictions from 6 March 2026. Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/552 amends the annexes of Decision 2025/2248, adjusting the restricted zones due to the outbreak of contagious nodular dermatosis—internationally known as lumpy skin disease—active in Spain.

The key for any farmer or sector company is simple: verify whether their farm falls within the new geographical perimeters defined in the updated annexes. This determines whether they are subject to restrictions on animal movements, animal products and genetic material, or whether they can operate normally.

What does this regulation establish?

Contagious nodular dermatosis is a viral disease affecting cattle and other ruminants, causing significant production losses. Given the evolution of the outbreak in Spain, the European Commission has updated the annexes of Decision 2025/2248 to reflect changes in the epidemiological situation on the ground.

The specific changes introduced by Decision 2026/552 are:

• Modification of the geographical perimeters of protection zones previously established.
• Modification of the geographical perimeters of surveillance zones previously established.
• Update of restrictions on animal movements (cattle and other ruminants) within and from these zones.
• Update of restrictions on animal products from farms in affected areas.
• Update of restrictions on genetic material originating from affected zones.

The measure is of an emergency nature and may be reviewed periodically depending on the evolution of the outbreak. This means that perimeters may be expanded, reduced or modified again without extended prior notice.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this regulation translates into specific operational restrictions for farms located in the delimited zones. The most relevant business consequences are:

• Paralysis or limitation of animal transfers: movements of cattle and ruminants from or within restricted zones are subject to authorization or directly prohibited depending on the zone.
• Restrictions on the marketing of animal products: milk, meat and other products from farms in affected areas may be blocked from intra-community trade.
• Blocking of genetic material: semen, embryos and other reproductive materials originating from affected zones are also subject to restrictions.
• Risk of sanctions for non-compliance: operating outside restrictions may result in administrative sanctions and loss of access to the intra-community market.
• Operational adaptation costs: farmers may be forced to modify transport routes, postpone sales or seek alternative marketing channels.

The disease itself generates significant production losses in affected animals, which is added to the regulatory impact of movement and marketing restrictions.

Who does it affect?

• Cattle farmers with farms in the updated protection or surveillance zones in Spain.
• Farmers of other ruminants (sheep, goats and others) located in the delimited zones.
• Veterinarians providing services to farms within affected zones and must apply control and notification protocols.
• Livestock transporters operating routes that cross or depart from restricted zones.
• Livestock traders and operators who buy, sell or broker animals or animal products from affected zones.
• Animal genetic material companies (semen collection centers, embryo banks) located in delimited zones.
• Agri-food industries that receive raw materials (milk, meat) from farms in affected areas.

Practical example

A cattle farmer with a farm in a Spanish province affected by the lumpy skin disease outbreak needs to transfer a batch of calves to a livestock fair in another autonomous community.

Before the update of Decision 2026/552, their farm could have been outside the restricted zone and movement was free. Following the modification of geographical perimeters included in the new annexes, their farm may now be included in the protection or surveillance zone.

In that case, the transfer of animals is subject to current movement restrictions: it may require prior authorization from the competent authority, comply with additional health conditions or be directly prohibited depending on the specific zone. If they carry out the transfer without verifying their situation, they are exposed to administrative sanctions and blocking of intra-community trade of their animals and products.

The immediate action is clear: consult the new annexes of Decision 2026/552 and identify whether the coordinates of their farm fall within or outside the updated perimeters.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the location of the farm with respect to the new perimeters: consult the updated annexes of Decision 2026/552 to determine whether the farm falls within the protection zone, surveillance zone or outside both.
2. Contact the competent veterinary authority of the autonomous community: confirm what specific restrictions apply to the farm according to its location and type of activity.
3. Review and adapt planned animal movements: postpone or cancel transfers of cattle and ruminants that may be affected by restrictions until the situation is confirmed.
4. Review animal product supply contracts: inform buyers and receiving industries of possible restrictions on delivery of milk, meat or other products if the farm is in an affected area.
5. Establish a system for monitoring updates: given that the measure is of an emergency nature and may be reviewed periodically, it is essential to stay informed of possible new modifications to the perimeters.
6. Document all actions: record consultations made, authorizations obtained and compliance measures implemented to demonstrate due diligence in case of inspection or audit.