Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1706 of 8 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601706 — C(2026) 4904 |
| Publication | 13 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 8 July 2026 |
| Affected parties | Livestock farmers, exporters and importers of sheep and goats in Croatia and the EU |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries — Animal Health |
| Repealed regulations | Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1389 and Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2663 |
Livestock sector operators in Croatia and any EU company trading in sheep, goats or products derived from these species from that country must adapt their operations immediately. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1706, adopted on 8 July 2026 and published in the EU Official Journal on 13 July, establishes a new emergency framework following the detection of peste of small ruminants (PSR) in Croatia.
This decision is not the first response to the outbreak: it repeals and replaces two previous regulations — Decision (EU) 2026/1389 and Decision (EU) 2025/2663 — updating the regulatory framework as the epidemiological situation evolves.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 2026/1706 adopts a set of emergency phytosanitary measures in response to the confirmed presence of PSR in Croatia. PSR is a highly contagious viral disease affecting exclusively sheep and goats, with high mortality in non-immunized herds. Below are the main measures:
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Restricted zones | Delimitation of geographic areas in Croatia where special movement and trade restrictions apply |
| Movement controls | Restrictions on the movement of live sheep and goats, as well as derived products, within and outside restricted zones |
| Surveillance and notification | Obligations for Croatian authorities to monitor the evolution of the outbreak and report to the European Commission |
| Restrictions on intra-EU exports | Possible blocking of exports from Croatia to the rest of the EU in case of non-compliance or outbreak expansion |
Comparison with repealed regulations
| Aspect | Previous regulations (2025/2663 and 2026/1389) | New regulation (2026/1706) |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Regulatory framework prior to current outbreak | Updated to epidemiological situation of July 2026 |
| Status | Repealed | In force since 8 July 2026 |
| Scope | Measures from earlier phases of the outbreak | Measures adapted to outbreak evolution |
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this regulation is direct and operational for any company involved in trade of sheep and goats with Croatia:
- Blocking of intra-EU exports: Companies importing live animals or derived products (meat, milk, cheese, wool) from Croatia may see their operations halted if batches originate from restricted zones or do not comply with new controls.
- Compliance costs: Croatian operators must adapt their logistics and documentary processes to new movement controls, which implies administrative costs and possible shipping delays.
- Risk of sanctions: Non-compliance with restrictions may result in sanctions by competent authorities and blocking of intra-EU exports.
- Impact on supply chain: Importers and distributors in other EU countries dependent on Croatian suppliers must identify alternative sources or verify that their suppliers are outside restricted zones.
Who does it affect?
- Sheep and goat farmers in Croatia, especially those located in or near declared restricted zones.
- Croatian exporters of live animals, meat, milk and dairy products from sheep and goats.
- Importers in the EU receiving live animals or derived products of sheep and goats from Croatia.
- Distributors and logistics operators managing transport of these species or their products to or from Croatia.
- Croatian veterinary and health authorities, which assume surveillance, notification and control obligations before the European Commission.
- Food processing companies in the EU using raw materials of sheep or goat origin from Croatia.
Practical example
A Spanish company importing sheep cheese from Croatia receives an order scheduled for August 2026. When verifying the product origin, it detects that the Croatian supplier is located in an area that could be affected by the restrictions of Decision 2026/1706.
In this case, the company must:
- Contact the Croatian supplier to confirm whether its farm is within or outside the declared restricted zones.
- Require updated health documentation certifying compliance with movement controls established by the new regulation.
- If the supplier is in a restricted zone, suspend the order until Croatian authorities certify that the product can circulate freely, or find an alternative supplier outside the affected zone.
- Notify its purchasing and logistics department of the risk of supply delay or cancellation.
Non-compliance with these controls could result in batch blocking at the border and sanctions for the operator.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if your suppliers or customers are in restricted zones: Contact your counterparts in Croatia directly to confirm whether their farm or facility is affected by the zones delimited in Decision 2026/1706.
- Review all current contracts and orders: Analyze supply agreements involving sheep, goats or derived products from Croatia and assess the risk of non-compliance or delay.
- Require updated health documentation: For any movement of animals or products from Croatia, request health certificates certifying compliance with new controls.
- Identify alternative suppliers: If you depend on supplies from restricted zones, activate contingency plans with suppliers from other unaffected EU countries.
- Consult competent veterinary authorities: In Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and autonomous communities are the reference bodies for resolving questions about the application of these restrictions in operations with Croatia.
- Monitor outbreak evolution: The situation may change. Follow updates from the EU Official Journal and European Commission communications on the PSR outbreak in Croatia.
Frequently asked questions
Since when are the PSR restrictions in Croatia in force?
The emergency measures of Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1706 entered into force on 8 July 2026, although they were published in the EU Official Journal on 13 July 2026. This means that the restrictions are applicable from 8 July, regardless of the publication date.
What regulations does Decision 2026/1706 replace and what changes compared to them?
Decision 2026/1706 repeals and replaces two previous regulations: Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1389 and Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2663. The main change is the update of the regulatory framework to adapt it to the evolution of the PSR outbreak in Croatia, with new restricted zones and revised movement controls.
What products and animals are affected by the restrictions?
The restrictions affect live sheep and goats and their derived products (meat, milk, dairy products, wool and other by-products) from the declared restricted zones in Croatia. Operators must verify the exact origin of animals and products to determine whether they are subject to controls.
What are the consequences of non-compliance with these restrictions?
According to the regulation, non-compliance may result in sanctions by competent authorities and blocking of intra-EU exports of sheep, goats and their derived products from Croatia. Operators who cannot demonstrate compliance with movement controls may have their batches retained or rejected at the border.
Where can I check if my Croatian supplier is in a restricted zone?
The exact delimitation of restricted zones is found in Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1706, published in the EU Official Journal. You can also consult Croatian veterinary authorities or the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture for guidance on specific operations.
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_202601706