Key data
| Regulation | Implementation Decision (EU) 2026/923 — amends Decision 2026/582 |
|---|---|
| Publication | April 28, 2026 |
| Entry into force | April 24, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Livestock farmers, exporters and importers of animals and animal products from Cyprus and the EU |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries — Animal Health |
| Reference | CELEX:32026D0923 — Notified as C(2026) 2818 |
| Amended regulation | Implementation Decision (EU) 2026/582 |
Operators working with animals or animal products from Cyprus have an immediate obligation: to review the conditions updated by the Implementation Decision (EU) 2026/923, adopted by the European Commission on April 24, 2026. This regulation amends Decision 2026/582, which established the first emergency measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak detected in Cyprus. The update is not a minor adjustment: it affects restricted zones, movement conditions for susceptible animals, and trade requirements for animal products from affected areas.
The risk for operators is direct: goods rejected at the border and administrative sanctions if the new requirements are not met from the date of entry into force.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 2026/923 is an amendment to the previous emergency regulation (Decision 2026/582) and acts on three main axes:
| Modified element | What changes with Decision 2026/923 |
|---|---|
| Restricted zones | The perimeters of restricted zones in Cyprus are adjusted to reflect the evolution of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak |
| Animal movement conditions | Requirements applicable to the movement of susceptible animals within and from affected zones are updated |
| Trade in animal products | Requirements for trade in products from affected areas to other EU Member States are modified |
The base regulation (Decision 2026/582) remains in force. Decision 2026/923 complements and updates it, so both must be read together to understand the complete applicable regime at any given time.
The stated objective of these measures is to contain the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease virus and protect the health status of the rest of the European Union territory.
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this regulation is not measured in fees or fixed amounts: it is measured in operational risk and potential losses from rejected or immobilized goods.
- Denial of entry in other Member States: any shipment of animals or animal products from Cyprus that does not comply with the new requirements may be rejected at the border by any EU Member State. This implies costs for return, storage, destruction or contractual penalties.
- Administrative sanctions: non-compliance with movement conditions or trade requirements may result in administrative sanctions. The regulation does not specify concrete amounts, as these depend on the national legislation of each Member State.
- Operational paralysis: transporters and traders who have not updated their procedures may see their operations halted without notice from April 24, 2026.
- Review of contracts and insurance: supply contracts and transport insurance policies may be affected if the condition of goods or routes have changed due to the new restrictions.
Who does it affect?
This regulation directly and immediately affects:
- Livestock farmers with farms in the restricted zones of Cyprus: must comply with updated movement conditions for susceptible animals.
- Cypriot exporters of live animals and animal products: must verify that their products comply with the new requirements before any shipment to other Member States.
- Importers in other EU Member States receiving animals or products from Cyprus: must require their suppliers to provide documentation proving compliance with Decision 2026/923.
- Transporters and logistics operators managing routes originating in Cyprus for animals or animal products.
- Veterinary advisors and animal health technicians who certify the health status of animals or products affected by restricted zones.
Practical example
A Cypriot exporter of dairy products (halloumi cheese, for example) whose production facility is located in a zone that has been included or modified in the new restricted zones by Decision 2026/923 must, before making any shipment to a buyer in Germany or France:
- Verify whether its location is within the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/923.
- Check whether the animal products it manufactures are subject to the new trade requirements established in the regulation.
- Obtain the health documentation required under the new regime before loading the truck.
- Inform its buyer in the destination Member State so that it does not reject the goods upon receipt.
If any of these steps are omitted and the shipment arrives at the border of the destination Member State without meeting the requirements, the competent authority may deny entry of the goods. The cost of return, storage or destruction falls on the operator.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the full text of Decision 2026/923 in the EU Official Journal to identify whether your operating zone or products are included in the updated restricted zones or categories.
- Review together with Decision 2026/582 (base regulation), as the new decision amends but does not replace it. The complete regime results from reading both regulations.
- Verify the health documentation required for each type of movement or shipment and ensure it is updated in accordance with the new requirements.
- Communicate changes to the supply chain: suppliers, transporters and buyers in other Member States must be aware of the new conditions to avoid border rejections.
- Consult with the competent veterinary authority in Cyprus or the equivalent body in the destination Member State to confirm applicable certification procedures.
- Review contracts and insurance coverage to assess whether the new restrictions affect the agreed conditions or coverage of potential losses from goods rejection.
Frequently asked questions
What zones in Cyprus are affected by foot-and-mouth disease restrictions in 2026?
Decision 2026/923 adjusts the restricted zones previously defined in Decision 2026/582. The exact details of the updated perimeters are found in the official text of the decision published on April 28, 2026. It is essential to consult the annex of the regulation to verify whether your operating zone is included.
Can I export animals or animal products from Cyprus to other EU countries?
Only under the specific conditions established in Decision 2026/923. This regulation amends the movement requirements for susceptible animals and the conditions for trade in animal products from affected areas.
Official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on the text of Decision 2026/923 and related EU regulations as of the publication date. Regulations and their interpretation may change. For specific guidance on your situation, consult with a qualified legal advisor or the competent veterinary authority in your jurisdiction. The author and publisher assume no liability for any consequences arising from the use of this information.