New emergency zones for sheep and goat pox in Bulgaria: what changes in August 2026

Key data

Farmers and commercial operators working with sheep and goats in the Bulgarian regions of Haskovo, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad and Stara Zagora face new movement restrictions with immediate entry into force. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1945, published on August 13, 2026, amends Decision 2025/1160 to incorporate six new outbreaks of sheep and goat pox and completely redefine the geographical delimitation of emergency zones.

The epidemiological urgency has justified the regulation entering into force on the same day of its publication, without a transitional period, to prevent the spread of the disease to other EU Member States.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1945 amends Decision 2025/1160, which was the emergency regulation in force for sheep and goat pox in Bulgaria. The main change consists of the complete replacement of the Annexes of the previous decision to reflect the new geographical delimitation and updated timelines for the measures.

The reason for the revision is clear: five of the six new outbreaks have occurred outside the already established restricted zones, which requires creating new protection and surveillance zones around the detected foci.

Restrictions apply to movements of sheep and goat animals and their products both within and outside the delimited zones. The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on Animal Health and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.

Economic and operational impact

For affected operators, the impact translates into paralysis or severe restriction of commercial movements of live animals and derived products (meat, milk, wool, hides) originating from the delimited zones. The most direct operational consequences are:

• Impossibility of moving sheep or goat animals outside protection zones without express authorization from Bulgarian authorities.
• Restrictions on animal-origin products from the affected zones, with possible supply chain blockages to other Member States.
• Need to verify the new geographical delimitation of the updated Annexes to determine whether a specific farm falls within or outside the restricted zones.
• Risk of rejection at border or destination for shipments from the regions of Haskovo, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad or Stara Zagora without updated health documentation.

Since five of the six outbreaks have occurred outside the previously known zones, farms that until now operated normally may have been incorporated into the new restricted zones without prior notice.

Who does it affect?

• Sheep and goat farmers with farms in the Bulgarian regions of Haskovo, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad and Stara Zagora.
• Commercial operators and traders who buy or sell live sheep or goat animals from Bulgaria.
• Importers and distributors of sheep or goat-origin products (meat, milk, derivatives) from the restricted zones.
• Transporters and logistics companies operating routes originating from the delimited zones in Bulgaria.
• Slaughterhouses and processing plants that receive animals from the affected regions.
• Veterinary authorities and inspection services that must apply the new updated Annexes.

Practical example

A Spanish operator who regularly imports live lambs from Bulgaria for fattening or slaughter must immediately verify whether their usual suppliers are located in the regions of Haskovo, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad or Stara Zagora.

If the supplier is located in one of these regions and their farm falls within the new protection or surveillance zones defined in the updated Annexes of Decision 2026/1945, the movement of animals to Spain will be restricted or prohibited until Bulgarian authorities lift the measures. Any shipment sent without updated health documentation in accordance with the new Annexes may be rejected at border or destination, with the associated costs of return, quarantine or destruction.

Similarly, a Bulgarian farmer in the Plovdiv region who until August 12, 2026 operated outside the restricted zones may have been included in a new surveillance zone as of August 13, without transition period, preventing them from moving their animals without prior authorization.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the location of Bulgarian suppliers in relation to the new protection and surveillance zones defined in the updated Annexes of Decision 2026/1945.
2. Review contracts and ongoing orders originating from Haskovo, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad or Stara Zagora to identify shipments that may be affected by movement restrictions.
3. Contact Bulgarian veterinary authorities (BFSA — Bulgarian Food Safety Agency) to confirm the health status of supplier farms and obtain updated documentation.
4. Preventively suspend movements of sheep and goat animals from the affected zones until confirming compliance with the new Annexes.
5. Inform logistics and customs departments about the new restrictions to prevent shipment of batches without valid health documentation.
6. Consult the full version of the new Annexes in the official text published on EUR-Lex to know the exact geographical delimitation of each zone.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source — EUR-Lex CELEX:32026D1945

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=CELEX:32026D1945