Foot-and-mouth disease in Greece 2026: urgent restrictions for livestock importers

Key data

Importers and livestock farmers operating with livestock or animal products from Greece have an immediate obligation: to review whether their operations comply with the new conditions established by the Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1038, in force since 5 May 2026. This decision amends the previous regulation (Decision 2026/820) and updates the restricted zones and movement conditions for live animals, meat products and genetic material from areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease in Greece.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. Its detection in Greece has activated the EU emergency mechanism, which imposes reinforced border controls to prevent the spread of the virus to other member states, including Spain.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1038 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/820, which was the original emergency regulation adopted in 2026 to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Greece. The specific changes it introduces are as follows:

The animal species affected by the restrictions are all cloven-hoofed animals present in the restricted zones:

• Cattle
• Pigs
• Sheep
• Goats

In addition to live animals, restrictions extend to animal products (meat, derivatives) and genetic material (semen, embryos) from affected areas.

Economic and operational impact

The impact for Spanish operators translates into three concrete areas:

• Risk of border rejection: Shipments of live animals, meat products or genetic material from restricted zones in Greece that do not demonstrate compliance with new health requirements may be rejected in official controls. This involves costs for return, destruction or quarantine of the goods.
• Administrative sanctions: Non-compliance with emergency measures may result in administrative sanctions for the importing operator or intermediary.
• Additional operational costs: Operators must allocate resources to verify the origin of shipments, obtain updated health documentation and ensure that Greek suppliers comply with reinforced requirements before each transaction.

Spain, as a country importing animals and livestock products, is obliged to apply these restrictions in its official controls. This means that Spanish competent authorities will reject shipments that do not comply with Decision 2026/1038.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish importers of cattle, pigs, sheep or goats from Greece
• Importers of meat products originating from restricted zones in Greece
• Animal genetic material operators (semen, embryos) from Greece
• Livestock farmers and farms that acquire breeding stock or production animals of Greek origin
• Greek exporters trading with Spain or other EU member states
• Intermediaries and traders in the livestock sector managing shipments originating in Greece
• Spanish competent authorities responsible for official border controls

Practical example

A Spanish sheep livestock importing company closes a contract with a Greek supplier to receive a batch of 500 head. Before the shipment arrives at the Spanish border, the importer must verify that the farm of origin is not located in any of the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/1038.

If the farm is located within a restricted zone and the importer does not have health documentation proving compliance with reinforced requirements, Spanish authorities may reject the shipment at the border control. The result: the goods do not enter, the importer bears the costs of returning or destroying the batch, and may also face an administrative sanction proceeding.

Preventive action is simple but critical: before formalizing any order with a Greek supplier, confirm with them the exact location of the farm and request updated health documentation in accordance with current regulations.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you have active operations with Greece: Review whether your company imports or has ongoing contracts with Greek suppliers of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, meat products or animal genetic material.
2. Verify the geographic origin of shipments: Request from your Greek suppliers the exact location of the farms of origin and check if they are included in the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/1038.
3. Review health documentation: Ensure that all documentation accompanying shipments complies with reinforced health requirements established in current regulations before the goods arrive at the border.
4. Temporarily halt pending orders if in doubt: If you cannot confirm compliance with requirements, it is preferable to delay the operation before risking shipment rejection at the border and associated sanctions.
5. Consult with competent health authorities: If you have any doubt about whether a specific shipment complies with restrictions, contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the competent authority in your autonomous community.
6. Monitor outbreak evolution: Restricted zones may expand or change if the outbreak spreads. Maintain active monitoring of regulatory updates published in the Official Journal of the EU.