Restricted zones due to ASF in the EU: what changes for the pork sector in 2026

Key data

If you operate a pork farm, manage a slaughterhouse or transport pigs and pork products within the EU, this regulation may change what you can move, where and with what documentation. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2220, published on 2 October 2026 and in force since 1 October, amends Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which is the European framework for special control measures against African Swine Fever (ASF).

The change is not minor: the exact geographical boundaries of the restricted zones I, II and III in the affected Member States are updated. This means that some areas that were previously free of restrictions may now be within a controlled zone, and vice versa.

What does this regulation establish?

The ASF zoning system in the EU classifies territories into three levels of restriction. This update modifies the specific geographical polygons of each zone in the affected Member States:

The regulation does not create new zone categories or modify the general rules for each level: what changes are the exact geographical boundaries of which municipalities, regions or areas fall within each zone. This is detailed in the updated Annex I, which must be consulted directly in the official text to verify the situation of each farm.

This modification is part of the usual dynamics of ASF management in Europe: the Commission periodically updates the zoning based on epidemiological developments, being able to both expand restricted zones in the face of new outbreaks and reduce them when the situation improves.

Economic and operational impact

The real impact of this regulation depends on whether your farm or activity falls within or outside a modified zone, and in which direction that classification changes:

• If your area moves to a zone with greater restrictions (e.g.: from zone I to zone II or III): you will need to adapt the health documentation for all movements, review transport and distribution contracts, and verify whether your exports to third countries are conditional or suspended.
• If your area exits a restricted zone or moves down a level: you recover operational capacity — you can resume movements of animals, products and genetic material that were previously blocked or conditional.
• Intra-community trade: operators selling or buying pork between Member States must verify that both the origin and destination comply with the requirements of the assigned zone. An error in classification can result in goods being held at the border or rejected at destination.
• Exports to third countries: many countries importing European pork apply automatic restrictions based on the EU's official zoning. A zone change can open or close export markets immediately.
• Logistics and transport: transport operators must update routes and accompanying documentation to reflect the new classification of origin and destination zones.

Who does it affect?

• Pork livestock farmers with farms in zones that have changed classification (I, II or III) in any EU Member State affected by ASF.
• Slaughterhouses that slaughter animals from restricted zones or that are themselves located in such zones.
• Commercial operators (wholesalers, distributors, exporters) that move live animals, pork products or genetic material within the EU or to third countries.
• Transport operators specializing in pork livestock or meat products that operate routes that cross or have origin/destination in modified zones.
• Importers from third countries that receive European pork and apply controls based on the EU's official zoning.

Practical example

Imagine a pork farm located in a region that, with the update of Annex I, moves from being classified in Zone I to being included in Zone II. Until 30 September 2026, the farmer could move piglets to another farm in a neighboring Member State with standard documentation. From 1 October 2026 — the date this regulation enters into force — that same movement requires compliance with the specific conditions of Zone II: enhanced health certification, possible prior authorization from the competent authority and verification that the destination farm can receive animals from a zone at that level.

If the farmer does not detect this change in time and carries out the movement with the previous documentation, the shipment may be held at the border control or rejected at destination, with the associated logistical and economic costs. This is why immediate verification of the updated Annex I is the first mandatory step.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2026/2220 to verify whether your municipality or region has changed zones (I, II or III) compared to the previous version of Regulation (EU) 2023/594.
2. Review all scheduled movements of live animals, pork products and genetic material in light of the new zone classification, for both origin and destination.
3. Update the accompanying health documentation to reflect the correct zone according to Annex I in force from 1 October 2026.
4. Inform your business partners and transport operators of the zone classification change so they can also adapt their documentation and routes.
5. Verify the impact on exports to third countries: if your zone has changed, contact your competent veterinary authority to confirm which export markets are affected.
6. Establish an alert system for future updates to Annex I, as the European Commission reviews and modifies zoning periodically based on the epidemiological evolution of ASF.

Official source

Consult full regulation on official source — EUR-Lex: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2220

Disclaimer: 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_202602220