EU PPA Zones 2026: What Changes for the Pork Sector

Key data

The restriction zones for African swine fever (ASF) in the European Union have changed. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/568, published on 11 March 2026 and in force from the previous day, amends the Annexes I and II of Regulation 2023/594, which is the framework for special control measures against ASF in the EU. For any company in the pork sector, this means one thing: verify right now whether its activity falls within the newly delimited zones.

This regulation does not require national transposition. It is directly applicable in all Member States, including Spain, from 10 March 2026.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/568 modifies and corrects the geographical delimitation of the restriction zones contained in Annexes I and II of Regulation 2023/594. These zones determine which movements of live pigs and pork products are permitted, restricted or prohibited within EU territory.

The structure of restriction zones in Regulation 2023/594 works as follows:

• Annex I: Restriction zones with specific health control measures.
• Annex II: Restriction zones with reinforced measures due to higher ASF risk.

Regulation 2026/568 updates the geographical delimitation of both annexes, which means that some facilities or routes that were not previously affected may now fall within a restricted zone, and vice versa. Operators cannot assume that their previous situation remains valid.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this regulation is not abstract. Any change in the delimitation of restriction zones has immediate operational and economic consequences for companies in the sector:

• Export blockades: If a facility falls within a restricted zone, shipments of live pigs or pork products to other territories may be blocked until applicable health requirements are met.
• Health documentation costs: Operators in restricted zones must maintain updated health documentation and comply with reinforced biosecurity protocols, which entails additional administrative and operational costs.
• Risk of sanctions: Non-compliance with movement restrictions may result in administrative sanctions, as established by the regulation itself.
• Review of transport routes: Transporters operating routes that cross restricted zones must review their itineraries and documentation.

For Spanish operators trading with countries affected by ASF, the review of biosecurity protocols and health documentation is an immediate obligation, not a recommendation.

Who does it affect?

• Pork farmers: Must verify whether their farms fall within the new restriction zones of Annexes I or II.
• Slaughterhouses: Must check whether their facilities or the origins of the animals they receive are affected by the new delimitation.
• Live animal and pork product transporters: Must review whether their routes cross or have origin/destination in restricted zones.
• Pork meat traders: Must verify the origin of products and whether commercial routes comply with the new restrictions.
• Spanish operators trading with ASF-affected countries: Must review biosecurity protocols and health documentation immediately.

Practical example

A Spanish transporter operating regular routes of live pigs from a farm in Eastern Europe to slaughterhouses in Spain must act as follows following the publication of Regulation 2026/568:

1. Consult the new Annexes I and II of Regulation 2023/594, in the version amended by Regulation 2026/568, to verify whether the point of origin of the animals has been included in a restriction zone.
2. If the origin falls in a restricted zone, review what additional health documentation the regulation requires for that movement.
3. Check whether the transport route crosses restricted zones that impose additional transit conditions.
4. If requirements are not met, the movement cannot be carried out until the corresponding documentation is obtained, at risk of sanctions and operation blockade.

This same process applies to a farmer who discovers that their farm has been included in one of the new zones: they must review what specific restrictions apply to them according to the annex in which they are classified (Annex I or Annex II), as control measures differ in each case.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the new Annexes I and II of Regulation 2023/594 in the version updated by Regulation 2026/568, available on EUR-Lex, to verify whether your facilities or routes fall within the new restriction zones.
2. Identify the type of applicable zone (Annex I or Annex II), as control measures and movement restrictions differ in each case.
3. Review the facility's biosecurity protocols to ensure they comply with the requirements imposed in the corresponding restriction zone.
4. Update health documentation for movements of live pigs and pork products, especially in operations with ASF-affected countries.
5. Inform transporters and business partners about changes in zones to prevent non-compliance in the supply chain.
6. Establish a monitoring procedure for future updates to the annexes, as ASF restriction zones are reviewed periodically based on disease evolution.