Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1827 of 23 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Amends | Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1706 |
| Publication | 24 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 23 July 2026 |
| Affected parties | Livestock farmers, traders and transporters of sheep and goats in Croatia |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries — Animal Health |
| Scope | European (prevention of spread to other Member States) |
| Official reference | C(2026) 5340 — OJ:L_202601827 |
Livestock farmers, traders and transporters of sheep and goats in Croatia must immediately review whether they operate in any of the restriction zones updated by Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1827. This regulation, adopted on 23 July 2026 and published in the EU Official Journal on 24 July, amends the previous Decision 2026/1706 and adjusts emergency measures against peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats.
The regulation has European scope: its objective is to prevent the disease from spreading from Croatia to other EU Member States, so border controls and cross-border movements of animals and derived products are also affected.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 2026/1827 amends Decision 2026/1706, which already established an initial framework of emergency measures against PPR in Croatia. The new decision updates that framework with the following elements:
| Element | Decision 2026/1706 (previous) | Decision 2026/1827 (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Restriction zones | Initial delimitation | Update of delimited zones |
| Animal movements | Initial restrictions | Adjustment of permitted live animal movements |
| Trade in derived products | Initial conditions | Review of trade conditions |
| Health controls | Reinforced controls in delimited areas | Maintenance and possible expansion of controls |
| Sanitary culling | Provided for in affected zones | Possibility of new culling according to evolution |
The Croatian authorities are responsible for implementing reinforced controls in delimited areas. This includes restricting live animal movements, supervising derived products (meat, milk, wool and other sheep and goat by-products) and executing sanitary culling when necessary to contain the outbreak.
Economic and operational impact
PPR is a notifiable disease with high contagiousness. Emergency measures have direct consequences on the economic activity of affected operators:
- Paralysis of movements: Animals in restriction zones cannot be moved freely, which blocks sales, transfers to slaughter and herd replacement.
- Trade restrictions: Live animals and derived products from delimited zones are subject to special conditions or trade prohibitions, both within Croatia and to other EU Member States.
- Sanitary culling: If the outbreak is confirmed in a holding, authorities may order herd culling. Compensation mechanisms depend on Croatian national legislation and available European funds for animal health emergencies.
- Biosecurity costs: Operators in risk zones must strengthen their biosecurity protocols, which involves additional costs for disinfection, access control and training.
- Supply chain impact: Transporters and traders operating routes through restricted zones will need to adapt their routes and documentation.
Who does it affect?
- Sheep and goat farmers with holdings in the delimited restriction zones in Croatia.
- Live animal traders operating with sheep and goats from or destined for Croatia.
- Transporters carrying live animals or derived products in affected zones.
- Processing industry (slaughterhouses, cheese factories, dairy industry) receiving raw materials from holdings in restricted zones.
- European importers and exporters trading live animals or derived products of sheep and goats with Croatia.
- Veterinary and control authorities of Member States receiving animals or products from Croatia.
Practical example
A Croatian farmer with a holding of 300 goats located in a zone included in the delimitation updated by Decision 2026/1827 will not be able to move his animals outside the restricted zone without express authorization from veterinary authorities. If he had planned the sale of 80 goats to a buyer in another EU Member State, that operation is blocked until the authorities lift or modify the restrictions. Furthermore, if a case of PPR is confirmed in his holding, authorities may order sanitary culling of the entire herd. In that scenario, the farmer must resort to compensation mechanisms provided for in Croatian and European regulations to cover losses.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if the holding or commercial route is in a restricted zone: Consult the map of delimited zones updated by Decision 2026/1827 with Croatian veterinary authorities or through the official text published in the EU Official Journal.
- Temporarily suspend animal movements from or to affected zones until confirming which operations are permitted under the new decision.
- Contact the official veterinarian to obtain specific instructions on controls applicable to the holding and documentation requirements for any authorized movement.
- Strengthen biosecurity protocols: Limit access to facilities, maximize disinfection of vehicles and equipment, and avoid contact with animals from unknown holdings.
- Report any suspected PPR symptoms (fever, nasal and ocular discharge, mouth lesions, severe diarrhea) to veterinary authorities immediately. Late reporting may worsen legal and economic consequences.
- Review contracts and insurance: Check whether supply or transport contracts include force majeure clauses applicable to health restrictions, and verify livestock insurance coverage for sanitary culling.
Frequently asked questions
What is peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and why does it generate these restrictions?
PPR is a highly contagious viral disease affecting exclusively sheep and goats. It causes high mortality in herds and has no effective treatment, so the EU activates immediate emergency measures when an outbreak is detected, including restriction zones, movement controls and sanitary culling to prevent its spread to other Member States.
When do the new restrictions in Croatia come into force?
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1827 entered into force on 23 July 2026, one day before its publication in the EU Official Journal (24 July 2026). The measures are immediately applicable to all affected operators in delimited zones.
Can I continue trading live animals or derived products of sheep and goats from Croatia?
It depends on whether the holding or point of origin is within the delimited restriction zones. Live animals and derived products from restricted zones are subject to special conditions or trade prohibitions, both within Croatia and to other EU Member States. It is essential to verify the zone status with veterinary authorities before carrying out any operation.
What happens if PPR is detected in my holding?
Croatian veterinary authorities may order sanitary culling of affected animals and, depending on outbreak evolution, of the entire holding. The farmer must report any suspected symptoms immediately. Compensation for sanitary culling depends on Croatian regulations and European animal health emergency mechanisms.
Does this regulation affect Spanish companies or companies from other EU countries?
Yes. Decision 2026/1827 has European scope and aims to prevent the spread of PPR from Croatia to other Member States. Any EU company importing live animals, meat, milk or other derived products of sheep and goats from Croatia must verify the origin of the goods and comply with controls established in the regulation.
Official source
Consult full regulation in official source
Notice: 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_202601827