Sheep and Goat Pox in Bulgaria 2026: What Importers and Livestock Farmers Must Do

Key data

Spanish operators importing sheep or goat livestock from Bulgaria, or marketing meat products from that origin, have an immediate obligation: to review whether their operations comply with the updated health requirements established by the Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1955, in force since 19 August 2026.

This decision modifies Decision 2025/1160, which already established an emergency framework against sheep and goat pox outbreaks detected in Bulgaria. The update adjusts the territorial scope and conditions of health restrictions applicable to the movement of animals and derived products. Spain, as a country importing livestock and meat products, is directly exposed to these border restrictions.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1955 is an emergency modification within the European health control framework for sheep and goat pox (Sheeppox and Goatpox). Its objective is to contain the spread of the disease and protect the livestock population of the entire EU.

The key elements it establishes are:

• Adjustment of territorial scope: The zones or geographic conditions within Bulgaria subject to health restrictions are updated.
• Restrictions on animal movement: The transfer of live sheep and goats with origin or destination in the affected zones of Bulgaria is limited or conditioned.
• Restrictions on derived products: Products from animals of the affected species are also subject to reinforced health controls.
• Obligation to verify for operators: Those trading with Bulgaria must demonstrate compliance with the new requirements before executing any movement or shipment.

Economic and operational impact

The main impact is not a fee or fixed amount: it is the operational risk of shipment blockage. A shipment of sheep or goats detained at the border due to non-compliance with updated health requirements can result in:

• Total loss of the shipment if the animals cannot be held in waiting.
• Additional storage and logistics costs while the incident is resolved.
• Administrative sanctions for non-compliance with the emergency measures in force.
• Reputational damage with clients and health authorities.

For Spanish importers of livestock or meat products of Bulgarian origin, the retroactive entry into force on 19 August 2026 means that any operation executed from that date must have already complied with the new requirements. Operations in progress or planned for the coming weeks must be reviewed urgently.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish livestock farmers who import breeding or fattening sheep or goats from Bulgaria.
• Importers and distributors of sheep or goat meat of Bulgarian origin.
• Bulgarian exporters with customers in Spain or other EU countries.
• Logistics operators and freight forwarders who manage shipments of live animals or meat products originating in Bulgaria.
• Slaughterhouses and meat industry that process animals from Bulgaria or affected neighboring zones.
• Official veterinarians and health advisors who certify animal movements originating in Bulgaria.

Practical example

A Spanish sheep livestock import company has scheduled a shipment of 500 head from a farm in Bulgaria for the first week of September 2026.

Since Implementing Decision 2026/1955 entered into force on 19 August 2026, the operator must, before executing the shipment:

1. Verify whether the farm of origin is located within the zones affected by the updated territorial restrictions.
2. Check that the health documentation of the shipment complies with the new requirements established in the modified decision.
3. Contact the competent veterinary authority to confirm that the movement is authorized under the current framework.

If the operator does not perform this verification and the shipment arrives at the border without updated documentation, the shipment can be blocked and the operator exposed to administrative sanctions. With 500 head in transit, the cost of a blockage—including logistics, custody and possible slaughter—can be very significant.

What should companies do now?

1. Review all operations in progress or planned with origin or destination in Bulgaria involving sheep, goats or their derived products.
2. Consult the updated text of Decision 2026/1955 to identify the specific geographic zones in Bulgaria subject to restrictions.
3. Contact the official veterinarian or competent authority (in Spain, the MAPA or the regional agriculture department) to confirm the health requirements applicable to each shipment.
4. Update the health documentation of shipments to reflect compliance with the new requirements before executing any movement.
5. Inform Bulgarian suppliers and customers of regulatory changes to coordinate adaptation at source.
6. Review supply contracts with Bulgarian suppliers to assess whether current restrictions may constitute force majeure or modification of conditions.

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_202601955