Foot-and-mouth disease in Greece 2026: what changes for Spanish livestock farmers and importers

Key data

Commercial exchanges with Greece in the livestock sector are under new conditions from 21 September 2026. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2148 amends the previous Decision 2026/820 —which established the first emergency measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak detected in Greek territory— and updates the map of affected zones along with the certification and movement requirements for animals and animal products.

For Spanish companies with livestock operations linked to Greece, this is not a minor change: the delimited zones determine what can be moved, how, and with what documentation. Operating without adapting to the new delimitation exposes companies to border blockades and administrative sanctions.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/2148 updates three key elements of the previous emergency regulation (Decision 2026/820):

The objective of the regulation is twofold: to contain the spread within Greek territory and to prevent the disease from spreading to other Member States, including Spain. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats), and any active outbreak automatically triggers the EU's emergency mechanisms.

Economic and operational impact

The impact for Spanish operators is concentrated in two areas:

• Export blockades: Animal products or live animals from the delimited zones in Greece cannot circulate freely. If a Spanish operator imports from those zones without updated certification, the goods may be retained or rejected at the border.
• Certification and traceability costs: Complying with the new health requirements involves additional documentation, possible veterinary analyses and coordination with the competent authorities. This generates direct management costs and may extend operational timelines.
• Administrative sanctions: Non-compliance with the movement and certification conditions established in the Decision may result in administrative sanctions, the specific amount of which depends on the national regulations of each Member State.
• Risk of operational paralysis: If the outbreak spreads and the restriction zones are expanded, commercial operations with Greece in the livestock sector could be temporarily paralyzed.

Spain could be particularly affected in its exchanges of live animals and animal products —such as meat, milk and derivatives— with Greece, as expressly stated in the regulation.

Who does it affect?

• Livestock farmers who import breeding animals, fattening animals or other susceptible animals from Greece.
• Spanish exporters who send live animals or animal products to Greece or who transit through delimited zones.
• Importers of animal products (meat, milk, dairy derivatives, meat products) from the affected zones in Greece.
• Logistics operators and transporters who manage the movement of animals or animal products between Spain and Greece.
• Veterinary and health advisors who certify operations with origin or destination in the delimited zones.
• Livestock cooperatives and industry associations with partners or suppliers in the affected area.

Practical example

A Spanish company importing lambs for fattening has a regular contract with a Greek supplier. Following the entry into force of Decision 2026/2148 on 21 September 2026, the supplier is located within one of the updated restriction zones.

In this scenario, the Spanish company cannot receive those animals under the previous conditions. It must:

1. Verify whether the Greek farm is within the updated protection, surveillance or restriction zone.
2. Request from the supplier the updated health documentation and veterinary certificates in accordance with Decision 2026/2148.
3. Communicate the situation to its official veterinarian to validate compliance before the movement.
4. If the restriction zone prevents movement, suspend the operation until the competent authorities authorize the lifting of the measures.

Failing to act in time may result in the rejection of the goods at the border and the initiation of a sanctioning procedure.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you operate with affected zones: Check whether your Greek suppliers or customers are located in the protection, surveillance or restriction zones updated by Decision 2026/2148. Consult the official regulation on EUR-Lex for details of the delimited zones.
2. Review current health certificates: Any certificate issued under the previous Decision 2026/820 must be verified to check whether it remains valid or needs to be updated in accordance with the new requirements.
3. Contact the official veterinarian: For any movement of live animals or animal products from or to the delimited zones, validation by the competent official veterinarian is mandatory.
4. Inform your logistics operator: Transporters must be aware of the updated movement restrictions to avoid border detentions.
5. Monitor outbreak evolution: The delimited zones may expand or shrink according to epidemiological evolution. Establish an alert system to follow updates from the European Commission on animal health matters.
6. Consult with a specialized advisor: If you have ongoing contracts with suppliers or customers in the affected zones, analyze force majeure clauses and contractual implications before making unilateral decisions.

Official source

Consult complete regulation on official source

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=OJ:L_202602148