Nodular Dermatitis in Italy 2026: New Restriction Zones for Livestock Farmers

Key data

Italian livestock farmers with bovine or buffalo farms in the restriction zones must immediately review whether their territories fall within the new geographical boundaries established by the Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1145. This regulation, published on 22 May 2026 and in force from 20 May, modifies the annexes of Decision 2025/1582 to adjust the areas where emergency measures against contagious nodular dermatitis (CND), a viral disease affecting bovines and buffalo, are applied.

The change does not introduce new substantive obligations, but rather redefines which territories are subject to existing restrictions. If your farm has entered a restriction zone with this update, control obligations are immediate.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1145 modifies exclusively the annexes of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1582, which is the base regulation governing emergency measures against contagious nodular dermatitis in Italy. The content of the change is as follows:

Contagious nodular dermatitis is a viral disease that causes skin lesions, fever and loss of production in bovines and buffalo. It does not affect humans, but generates significant economic losses in the livestock sector and can spread rapidly if animal movements are not controlled.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this update is operational: livestock farmers whose farms fall within the revised restriction zones cannot freely move animals, animal products or genetic material without complying with the reinforced controls established in Decision 2025/1582.

The practical consequences include:

• Restrictions on animal movements to and from the affected zones, which may block sales, purchases and movements between farms.
• Controls on animal products generated in the restricted zones, with possible limitations on their marketing.
• Restrictions on genetic material (semen, embryos), relevant for farms with genetic improvement programmes.
• Mandatory coordination with Italian veterinary authorities for any movement requiring authorization.

The regulation explicitly states that the objective is to contain the spread of the virus and protect the European livestock sector from significant economic losses. No specific penalty figures are published in the text of this decision.

Who does it affect?

• Livestock farmers with bovine farms located in the updated restriction zones in Italy.
• Livestock farmers with buffalo farms in the same territories.
• Operators marketing animal products (meat, milk, derivatives) from the restricted zones.
• Insemination centres and genetic material operators (bovine semen, embryos) in the affected zones.
• Transport operators and logistics operators managing animal movements to or from the restriction zones.
• Italian veterinary authorities, which must apply the new geographical boundaries established in the revised annexes.

Practical example

An Italian livestock farmer with a bovine farm that, under the previous annexes of Decision 2025/1582, was outside the restriction zones, but that with the update of the annexes introduced by Decision 2026/1145 is now within a restricted zone, must act immediately:

1. Verify with local veterinary authorities whether their municipality or district is included in the new geographical boundaries.
2. Suspend any movement of animals, animal products or genetic material until the applicable control requirements are confirmed.
3. Request the relevant authorizations if they need to move animals urgently (for example, for slaughter or veterinary treatment).

Similarly, a livestock farmer who was previously within a restricted zone and who with the new delimitation is now outside, can recover the usual freedom of movement, always subject to confirmation with the veterinary authorities.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the location of the farm with respect to the new geographical boundaries of the revised annexes of Decision 2025/1582, by contacting directly the competent Italian veterinary authorities.
2. Review all planned animal movements (transfers, sales, purchases) to confirm whether they require authorization or additional controls under the new restriction zones.
3. Review flows of animal products and genetic material from or destined for the affected zones, and adapt documentation and control procedures.
4. Coordinate with transport operators and buyers to inform them of possible restrictions or additional requirements in transfers from the restricted zones.
5. Consult Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1145 in the EU Official Journal to access the updated annexes with the exact geographical boundaries.