Sheep and goat pox in Greece 2026: what changes for exporters and importers

Key data

Operators moving sheep, goats or their products from Greece to other EU countries have a new obligation as of April 24, 2026: to comply with the updated conditions established by the Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/961. This regulation modifies Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2207 and adjusts the territorial scope and conditions of health restrictions applicable in the Greek areas affected by sheep and goat pox.

This is not a completely new regulation: it is an update of an existing framework. But the adjustment can change which areas are restricted or what conditions apply, which requires reviewing the operational situation immediately.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/961 modifies the emergency regulations in force since 2024 against sheep and goat pox in Greece. The objective is to contain the spread of the disease and protect the European livestock herd.

The key elements it regulates are:

• The territorial scope of restricted areas in Greece: the modification adjusts which areas fall under restriction.
• The movement conditions for live animals (sheep and goats) from those areas.
• Restrictions on semen, embryos and derived products from affected areas.
• The obligation of Member States to apply border controls and intra-community movement controls.

The regulation is immediately applicable from its notification to Member States on April 24, 2026, with no transitional period.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this regulation is operational: it affects the ability to move animals and products of sheep and goat origin from restricted Greek areas. This has concrete consequences for the supply chain:

• Shipment blockage from restricted areas without required documentation and controls.
• Additional control costs at the border for importers in other Member States receiving Greek merchandise.
• Risk of retention or return of batches that do not comply with the new updated conditions.
• Contract review with Greek suppliers if the origin is in a restricted area.

For operators already working under Decision 2024/2207, the change requires verifying whether the areas they operate in have been modified in the new text, as the territorial adjustment may expand or reduce applicable restrictions.

Who does it affect?

• Greek livestock farmers with farms in areas declared restricted due to sheep or goat pox.
• Greek exporters of live animals (sheep and goats), semen, embryos or derived products.
• Importers in other Member States receiving animals or products from Greece.
• Transport operators and logistics providers managing intra-community movements of sheep or goats from Greece.
• Competent authorities of Member States, obligated to apply border controls and intra-community movement controls.
• Processing industry using derived products from sheep or goats of Greek origin as raw materials.

Practical example

A Spanish importer who regularly purchases live lambs from a Greek farm must verify whether the municipality or region of origin of that farm has been included in the restricted areas updated by Decision 2026/961.

If the origin is in a restricted area, the shipment cannot circulate freely: it requires the specific health controls established in the regulation. If the transporter arrives at the border or control point without documentation updated in accordance with the new decision, the batch may be retained or returned, with the associated logistics and economic costs.

The first step is to contact the Greek supplier to confirm the health situation of the area of origin and obtain the corresponding supporting documentation before making any movement.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify the origin of supplies: Verify whether Greek suppliers of sheep, goats, semen, embryos or derived products have their farm in any of the restricted areas updated by Decision 2026/961.
2. Review health documentation: Ensure that certificates and documentation accompanying shipments are updated in accordance with the new conditions established in the regulation, not just based on the previous Decision 2024/2207.
3. Contact the competent authority: Consult with the veterinary or animal health body of the destination country to confirm what controls apply at the border to batches from Greece.
4. Inform transporters and logistics operators: Communicate the new conditions to those responsible for transport to avoid border retentions or intra-community control point delays.
5. Review contracts with Greek suppliers: Evaluate whether force majeure clauses or delivery conditions cover situations of health restrictions and whether it is necessary to renegotiate conditions in case of shipment blockages.
6. Monitor the evolution of restricted areas: Emergency measures may be modified again if the epidemiological situation changes. Establish a regulatory monitoring system to detect new updates.