Peste of Small Ruminants in Romania 2026: what changes for Spanish importers and livestock farmers

Key data

Spanish operators in the sheep and goat sector who import, export or trade animals or products originating in Romania must immediately review the conditions of their activity. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1910, published on 3 August 2026 and in force since 30 July, modifies the emergency regulations approved in 2025 against an active outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) detected in Romania.

This update is not a minor formality: PPR is a highly contagious disease for sheep and goats, with no effective treatment, and its spread to the rest of the EU would require much broader and more costly control measures. The Commission acts quickly to contain the outbreak and prevent it from crossing borders.

What does this regulation establish?

This Decision modifies the Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/638, which established in 2025 the first emergency measures against PPR in Romania. The 2026 update adjusts the following key elements:

• Restricted zones: The geographic areas of Romania subject to movement restrictions are reviewed and updated, adapting them to the evolution of the outbreak.
• Movement of susceptible animals: The conditions under which sheep and goats can move within and outside affected zones are modified.
• Trade conditions: The requirements for marketing sheep and goats, as well as their products, originating from restricted zones in Romania are updated.

PPR does not affect humans, but its economic impact on the livestock sector is devastating: high mortality in herds, animal slaughter and market closure. The EU applies the precautionary principle and acts with emergency measures while the outbreak is not controlled.

Economic and operational impact

For most Spanish companies, the direct impact of this regulation is limited. Spain is not a massive importer of live sheep from Romania. However, for operators with active commercial links in this sector, the consequences are immediate:

• Shipment blockade: Animal movements from restricted zones are suspended or conditioned to additional certifications. Any shipment in transit or planned must be reviewed before execution.
• Certification and control costs: Operators wishing to maintain commercial activity with Romania will have to prove compliance with the new conditions, which involves administrative procedures and possible additional veterinary costs.
• Risk of seizure: Animals or products that do not meet the new conditions may be retained at the border or seized by health authorities.
• Supply chain impact: Companies using raw materials (wool, milk, meat) of Romanian origin must verify that their suppliers do not operate in restricted zones.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish importers of live sheep and goats originating in Romania.
• Spanish exporters sending animals to Romania or transiting through affected zones.
• Agri-food companies processing or marketing derived products (meat, milk, wool) from Romania.
• Livestock farmers and cooperatives with purchase and sale agreements for breeding stock or fattening animals with Romanian partners.
• Logistics operators and transporters managing the movement of live animals originating or destined for Romania.
• Veterinarians and advisors in the sheep and goat sector who must certify the health status of animals.

For the rest of the Spanish livestock sector without links to Romania, this regulation does not generate direct obligations at this time.

Practical example

A Spanish sheep breeding stock trading company has agreed to purchase 200 Merino sheep from a Romanian livestock farmer with delivery scheduled for August 2026. When Implementing Decision 2026/1910 enters into force on 30 July, the company must:

1. Verify whether the Romanian supplier's farm is located within any of the updated restricted zones by the new decision.
2. If the farm is in a restricted zone, animal movement is conditioned or blocked until the competent authorities (Romanian and Spanish) certify compliance with the new conditions.
3. If the farm is outside a restricted zone, the operator must also document that the animals come from a free zone and meet the updated health requirements.
4. In any case, the company must contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the competent veterinary authority of its autonomous community to confirm the procedures required before executing the shipment.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you have commercial activity with Romania in sheep, goats or their products. If the answer is yes, this regulation affects you directly and immediately.
2. Verify the location of your Romanian suppliers or customers with respect to the restricted zones updated by Implementing Decision 2026/1910. Request official confirmation from your Romanian counterpart of their health status.
3. Review shipments in progress or planned for August 2026 onwards. Do not execute animal movements without confirming compliance with the new conditions.
4. Consult with the competent veterinary authority (autonomous community or Ministry of Agriculture) on updated certification requirements for imports from Romania.
5. Update commercial contracts and agreements with Romanian partners to include health compliance clauses and force majeure linked to current emergency measures.
6. Monitor the evolution of the outbreak through the EU Official Journal and European Commission communications, as restricted zones may expand or shrink depending on disease evolution.

Official source

Consult complete 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_202601910