Peste of Small Ruminants in Romania 2026: what sheep and goat importers must do

Key data

If you import sheep or goats from Romania, or trade in their derived products, this regulation affects you from now on. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1831, adopted on 23 July 2026, modifies the emergency measures established by Decision 2025/638 against an active outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Romanian territory.

PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that affects exclusively sheep and goats. Its economic impact on the livestock sector is severe: high mortality in affected herds, paralysis of live animal trade and restrictions on derived products from affected areas. The regulation is immediately applicable in all EU Member States, including Spain.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1831 modifies the previous regulation (Decision 2025/638) which already established emergency measures following the detection of PPR in Romania. This update introduces changes in three main areas:

• Restricted zones: The geographical delimitations of the areas of Romania subject to restrictions are updated, adapting them to the evolution of the outbreak.
• Animal movement requirements: The conditions under which sheep and goats—live or carcass—can be moved from the affected areas of Romania to other Member States are modified.
• Health controls: The inspection and certification protocols applicable to animals and products from the restricted zones are updated.

The previous regulation (Decision 2025/638) already imposed restrictions on intra-community trade in small ruminants from Romania. Decision 2026/1831 does not repeal that basis, but rather updates and strengthens it to adapt to the current epidemiological situation of the outbreak.

Economic and operational impact

For Spanish operators in the sheep and goat sector, the impact translates into direct and immediate operational consequences:

• Blocking of non-compliant imports: Any shipment of sheep, goats or derived products from restricted areas of Romania that does not comply with the new requirements may be rejected in intra-community controls.
• Additional certification cost: Operators will need to require their Romanian suppliers to provide updated health documentation in accordance with the new Decision, which may generate delays and administrative costs.
• Risk of supply chain disruption: Meat companies, distributors and farmers who depend on animals or products from Romania may see their supply interrupted if their suppliers are not in authorized areas or do not comply with the new controls.
• Impact on prices: Movement restrictions in an intra-community market reduce available supply, with potential upward effect on sheep and goat prices in Spain.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish importers and distributors of live sheep and goats from Romania.
• Meat companies and slaughterhouses that process animals of Romanian origin.
• Romanian exporters of sheep, goats and derived products to Spain and other Member States.
• Spanish farmers who acquire breeding stock or fattening animals from Romania.
• Intra-community trade operators of derived products from small ruminants (milk, cheese, wool, hides) originating from restricted areas of Romania.
• Veterinary and border control authorities of receiving Member States.

Practical example

A Spanish company importing live lambs for fattening has a regular supply contract from a farm in Romania. Following the entry into force of Decision 2026/1831 on 23 July 2026, the operator must act immediately:

1. Verify whether the Romanian supplier farm is located within the updated restricted zones by the new Decision.
2. If the farm is in a restricted zone, check whether it complies with the new movement requirements (updated health certification, pre-transport controls).
3. If the farm is not in a restricted zone, still request documentation proving that the animals come from a PPR-free zone in accordance with Decision 2026/1831.
4. In case of doubt, halt the import until confirming the health status with the supplier and competent authorities, to avoid shipment rejection at destination.

This process may involve delays of days or weeks if the supplier does not have the documentation ready, with the consequent logistical and opportunity cost for the Spanish importer.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the origin of Romanian suppliers: Identify whether the farms of origin are located in the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/1831. Contact suppliers directly to obtain this information.
2. Request updated health documentation: Require suppliers to provide health certificates in accordance with the new Decision before authorizing any shipment or animal movement.
3. Alert the logistics and purchasing department: Communicate internally that delays or blockages in imports from Romania may occur until compliance with the new requirements is confirmed.
4. Consult with the official veterinary service: In case of doubt about the status of a specific zone or farm, contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the competent veterinary authority of the autonomous community.
5. Review contracts with Romanian suppliers: Consider whether current supply contracts include force majeure clauses or adaptation to regulatory changes that may be activated in this situation.
6. Monitor outbreak evolution: The epidemiological situation may change and lead to new regulatory modifications. Maintain active monitoring of updates published in the EU Official Journal.

Official source

Consult full regulation at 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_202601831