Sheep and Goat Pox in Romania 2026: What Sheep and Goat Operators Must Do

Key data

If your company buys or sells sheep or goats with Romania, or works with derived products from that country, this decision directly affects you. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2075 modifies the emergency measures already in force since Decision 2026/1108, adapting them to the epidemiological evolution of sheep and goat pox in Romanian territory.

The regulation entered into force on the same day of its adoption, 10 September 2026, four days before its publication in the EU Official Journal. This means that any commercial operation carried out from that date onwards must comply with the updated conditions.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/2075 is an amendment to Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1108, which already established emergency measures in response to outbreaks of sheep and goat pox detected in Romania. The update responds to the evolution of the epidemiological situation and adjusts the conditions applicable to the movement and marketing of animals of the affected species.

The updated emergency measures may include:

• Restrictions on the movement of sheep and goats within and outside the affected areas of Romania.
• Specific conditions for the marketing of these animals.
• Requirements for the transport of sheep and goats from Romania to other EU Member States.
• Conditions applicable to products derived from animals of the affected species originating from restricted areas.

The amendment replaces or updates certain articles or annexes of Decision 2026/1108. The objective is to contain the spread of the disease within the territory of the European Union, adjusting the restriction zones or movement conditions as the outbreak in Romania progresses or recedes.

Economic and operational impact

For operators working with sheep or goat livestock of Romanian origin, the impact translates into direct and indirect operating costs:

• Suspension or delay of shipments: Movement restrictions can block already contracted or in-transit batches, generating storage, logistics and contractual penalty costs.
• Additional certification costs: Animals from affected or bordering areas may require additional health documentation or diagnostic tests before being transported.
• Review of supply contracts: Operators with purchase and sale agreements with Romanian suppliers must verify whether force majeure clauses or health conditions are covered.
• Risk of rejection at border or destination: Non-compliance with the new conditions may result in batch rejection in veterinary controls, with associated costs of return or destruction.

No specific economic figures for sectoral impact are available in the published regulation, so it is not possible to quantify the exact cost. However, the impact is immediate for any operator with active commercial activity with Romania in these species.

Who does it affect?

• Farmers and sheep and goat farms located in Romania, especially in areas declared as affected or restricted.
• Spanish and European importers of live sheep and goats from Romania.
• Exporters sending animals of these species to Romania or transiting through affected areas.
• Operators of slaughterhouses, cutting rooms and processing companies working with animals or products of Romanian origin of these species.
• Traders and intermediaries in the sheep and goat sector with activity in intra-community markets that include Romania.
• Veterinary advisors and animal health technicians managing intra-community movement documentation.
• Logistics operators and transporters specializing in live livestock with routes that include Romania.

Practical example

A Spanish operator who has contracted the purchase of 500 Merino lambs from a farm in Romania and plans their transport to Spain during the week of 15 September 2026 should act as follows:

1. Verify whether the farm of origin is located within a restriction zone defined by Decision 2026/2075 or its predecessor 2026/1108.
2. Check with the official Romanian veterinarian whether the animals meet the updated movement conditions (health certificates, diagnostic tests, waiting periods).
3. Confirm with the transporter that the route and vehicles comply with the biosecurity requirements required for the transfer of animals from affected areas.
4. Notify the operation through the TRACES NT system before the movement, with health documentation updated in accordance with the new decision.

If the farm of origin is in a restricted area and the updated conditions are not met, the batch could be blocked at the border control upon entry to Spain, with the associated costs of retention or return.

What should companies do now?

1. Immediately review active operations with Romania: Identify all purchases, sales or transports of sheep and goats with origin or destination in Romania that are underway or planned from 10 September 2026.
2. Consult the full text of Decision 2026/2075: Access the EU Official Journal to know exactly which zones and conditions have been modified with respect to Decision 2026/1108.
3. Contact the Romanian supplier or customer: Verify whether the farm of origin or destination is located in a restricted area and what additional certifications are necessary.
4. Update documentation in TRACES NT: Ensure that all intra-community movements of these species are recorded with health documentation in accordance with current regulations.
5. Review supply contracts: Check whether force majeure clauses or health conditions cover possible blockages resulting from veterinary emergency measures.
6. Consult with the official veterinarian or competent authority: If you have any doubts about the health status of an area or applicable requirements, contact the Ministry of Agriculture or the corresponding regional veterinary authority.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

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_202602075