Sheep and Goat Pox in Romania 2026: new restrictions on the movement of sheep and goats affecting Spanish importers

Key data

Importers and livestock farmers working with sheep and goats from Romania face new operating conditions from 20 August 2026. The European Commission has adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1956, which amends the previous Decision 2026/1108 and updates the map of restricted zones and movement requirements applicable to active outbreaks of sheep and goat pox in Romanian territory.

This is not a brand new regulation: it is a modification of an existing emergency measure, indicating that the epidemiological situation in Romania has evolved and the community authorities have adjusted the control perimeter. For any operator moving animals of these species from or to Romania, ignoring this update could result in shipments being blocked at the border or previously issued health certificates being invalidated.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1956 updates the animal health emergency measures regime applicable in Romania against sheep and goat pox. The key elements it establishes or modifies are as follows:

Sheep and goat pox (Sheeppox and Goatpox) is a notifiable disease in the EU, classified as a category A disease in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on animal health. Its active presence requires the Commission to adopt immediate emergency measures that take precedence over general trade rules.

Economic and operational impact

This regulatory update has direct consequences for the supply chain of sheep and goats in the community area:

• Shipment blocking or delays: Animals from restricted Romanian zones that do not meet the new certification requirements will be rejected at border controls or at destination.
• Additional certification costs: Romanian exporters and importers at destination will need to manage health documentation updated according to the new requirements, which implies additional administrative and veterinary costs.
• Review of supply contracts: Purchase and sale contracts for live animals originating in Romania may be affected if delivery conditions do not include animal health force majeure clauses.
• Price impact: The reduction in available supply from restricted zones may push up prices for sheep and goats in community markets.
• Reputational and traceability risk: Operators who do not update their origin verification procedures may face traceability issues during inspections by competent authorities.

The previous regulation (Decision 2026/1108) already established an initial framework of restrictions. This modification updates that framework, meaning that procedures that were valid under the previous regulation may have become outdated from 20 August 2026.

Who does it affect?

• Romanian livestock farmers with sheep and goat farms located in declared protection or surveillance zones.
• Romanian exporters of live animals of sheep and goat species destined for other EU Member States.
• Spanish importers and those from other Member States who purchase sheep or goats from Romania for fattening, breeding or slaughter.
• Slaughterhouses and processing plants that receive animals of Romanian origin and must verify incoming health documentation.
• Official and private veterinarians who issue or validate health certificates for movements from or to Romania.
• Customs agents and freight forwarders who manage the transport of live animals from Romania.
• Competent authorities of Member States (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) responsible for entry controls.

Practical example

A Spanish sheep importer who is scheduled to receive a batch of 500 lambs from a farm in southern Romania during the last week of August 2026 should act as follows:

1. Verify with its Romanian supplier whether the farm of origin is located within a protection or surveillance zone according to the new delimitation established by Decision 2026/1956.
2. If the farm is in a restricted zone, check that the health certificate accompanying the batch meets the requirements updated by this Decision, and not just those of the previous Decision 2026/1108.
3. If the certificate was issued before 20 August 2026 or under the requirements of the previous regulation, request the Romanian official veterinarian to issue a new certificate in accordance with the current regulation.
4. Notify the entry of the batch to the Spanish veterinary authorities with sufficient advance notice so they can carry out documentary and physical controls at the point of entry.

If the importer does not carry out these verifications and the batch arrives with outdated documentation, the competent authorities may order the batch to be returned to Romania or slaughtered, with the full economic cost borne by the operator.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify the exact origin of the animals: Confirm with Romanian suppliers whether their farms are located in protection or surveillance zones according to the new delimitation of Decision 2026/1956.
2. Review and update health certificates: All certificates issued for movements of sheep and goats from Romania must be adjusted to the requirements of the regulation in force from 20 August 2026.
3. Review supply contracts: Verify whether contracts with Romanian suppliers include clauses covering delays or cancellations due to emergency animal health restrictions.
4. Contact competent veterinary authorities: In Spain, consult the Ministry of Agriculture or the corresponding regional authority about controls applicable to the entry of animals from Romania.
5. Update internal traceability procedures: Ensure that the animal entry registration system correctly records the Romanian zone of origin and the applicable certification regulation.
6. Monitor epidemiological developments: Emergency measures may be modified again if the situation in Romania changes. Establish an alert system for new Commission implementing decisions related to this disease.

Official source

Consult full 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_202601956