Sheep Pox in Romania 2026: what Spanish importers and livestock farmers must do

Key data

Spanish importers and livestock farmers operating with sheep or goats from Romania face new operating conditions from 16 July 2026. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1797 amends the previous Decision 2026/1108 and updates emergency measures against outbreaks of sheep and goat pox detected in Romanian territory.

The regulation does not require national transposition: it enters into force directly in all Member States in accordance with the EU Animal Health Regulation. This means that any movement of affected animals or products that does not comply with the new conditions may be blocked at the border or in intra-community controls.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1797 amends Decision 2026/1108, which was the original regulation establishing emergency measures against the first outbreaks of sheep and goat pox in Romania. The new decision updates three key elements:

The purpose of the regulation is to contain the spread of sheep and goat pox (Capripox), a notifiable disease that affects exclusively sheep and goats and can have serious economic consequences for the livestock sector. The EU acts through implementing decisions of immediate application precisely to be able to adapt measures quickly to the evolution of outbreaks.

The impact on intra-community trade is direct: live animals and products derived from sheep and goats originating from the delimited zones in Romania are subject to specific conditions in order to circulate within the EU.

Economic and operational impact

Movement restrictions arising from animal health emergency zones generate concrete operational costs for sector operators:

• Shipment paralysis or delay: Batches of animals from restricted zones may be held in controls until compliance with the new health requirements is demonstrated.
• Additional documentation: Operators must demonstrate that animals or products do not originate from the delimited zones, or that they comply with the specific conditions established for those zones.
• Contract and supplier review: Importers with existing supply contracts from Romania must verify whether their suppliers are located in restricted zones.
• Certification and veterinary control costs: Movements from affected zones may require additional health certificates issued by the competent Romanian authorities.
• Risk of rejection at destination: Batches that do not comply with the new conditions may be rejected or returned, with the associated logistics and animal welfare costs.

Given that the regulation is immediately applicable from 16 July 2026, any operation in progress on that date is subject to the new requirements without an adaptation period.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish importers of live sheep and goats from Romania.
• Importers of products derived from sheep and goats originating from restricted zones in Romania (meat, milk, wool, hides, as established by the conditions of the decision).
• Spanish livestock farmers who acquire breeding stock, young animals or fattening animals from Romania.
• Traders and intermediaries in the sheep and goat sector with supply chains that include Romania.
• Logistics operators and transporters who manage movements of live animals from or through restricted zones in Romania.
• Veterinary advisors and farm technicians who must certify the origin and health status of animals.

Practical example

A Spanish importer of lambs for fattening has a regular supply contract with a livestock farm in Romania. On 16 July 2026, Implementing Decision 2026/1797 enters into force, updating the restricted zones for sheep pox.

If the Romanian supplier farm is included in one of the updated restricted zones, the Spanish importer must:

1. Verify with its Romanian supplier whether the farm is within the new delimited zones.
2. Request from the Romanian veterinary authorities the documentation proving compliance with the movement conditions established in Decision 2026/1797.
3. Communicate the situation to the official veterinarian in Spain before the batch enters national territory.
4. If the batch is already in transit on the date of entry into force, immediately contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to learn about the applicable procedure.

If the supplier farm is not in a restricted zone, the operator must still retain the documentation that proves this, as it may be required in controls.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify suppliers in Romania: Determine whether any of your suppliers of sheep, goats or derived products operate in the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/1797.
2. Review existing contracts: Check whether supply contracts include force majeure or adaptation clauses for health restrictions that may be activated.
3. Contact the official veterinarian: Consult with the official veterinary service of your autonomous community or with the Ministry of Agriculture about the specific requirements for movements from Romania.
4. Update traceability documentation: Ensure that all batches from Romania have updated health documentation in accordance with the new requirements.
5. Monitor the evolution of outbreaks: Animal health emergency decisions are updated frequently. Establish an alert system to detect new regulatory changes that may affect your operations.
6. Consult the official source: Access the full text of Decision 2026/1797 on EUR-Lex to learn the exact details of the updated zones and conditions.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation in the 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_202601797