Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1943 of 10 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Amends | Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1108 (previous emergency measures on sheep and goat pox in Romania) |
| Publication | 13 August 2026 |
| Entry into force | 13 August 2026 |
| Affected parties | Sheep and goat farmers, commercial operators and veterinary authorities in Romania and the EU |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries — Animal health |
| Disease classification | Category A — Regulation (EU) 2016/429 |
| New outbreak zone | Iași County (Romania) — notified on 3 August 2026 |
| Notification reference | C(2026) 5800 |
Farmers and operators working with sheep and goats in the EU have new restrictions from 13 August 2026 that directly affect the movement of animals and products from Romania. The European Commission has approved Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1943 to expand the emergency zones previously delimited by Decision 2026/1108, following notification by Romania of a new outbreak of sheep and goat pox in Iași county, detected on 3 August 2026.
Sheep and goat pox is classified as a Category A disease under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, which implies the highest level of health alert and the application of emergency measures with urgent character to prevent its spread to other member states.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 2026/1943 amends the annexes of Decision 2026/1108, updating three specific elements:
- Protection zones: immediate perimeter around the outbreak focus in Iași county, where the most restrictive measures apply.
- Surveillance zones: epidemiological monitoring area surrounding the protection zone.
- Additional restriction zones: broader territory subject to reinforced controls on animal and product movement.
Additionally, the duration of applicable measures in each zone is updated. The decision enters into force on the same day as its publication (13/08/2026), reflecting the urgent nature of the situation.
Comparison: before and after Decision 2026/1943
| Aspect | Before (Decision 2026/1108) | After (Decision 2026/1943) |
|---|---|---|
| Delimited zones | Zones prior to Iași outbreak | Expanded zones to include Iași county (outbreak notified on 03/08/2026) |
| Amended annexes | Original version of annexes | Updated annexes with new protection, surveillance and additional restriction zones |
| Duration of measures | Deadlines set in original decision | Deadlines updated according to new outbreak |
| Geographic scope | Previously affected zones in Romania | Expanded to Iași county |
Economic and operational impact
Category A sheep and goat pox can cause serious economic losses in livestock farms and disrupt animal and product movements within the EU. The specific operational consequences are:
- Trade restrictions: movements of sheep, goats and their products from the affected zones of Romania are subject to reinforced controls or temporary prohibition.
- Indirect impact on Spain: Spanish operators who import sheep or goats, or derived products, from the restricted zones of Romania may see their supplies interrupted or delayed.
- Control costs: farms within protection and surveillance zones must bear additional costs for veterinary inspection, movement restrictions and possible preventive culling.
- Risk of spread: as a Category A disease, any breach of measures may result in expansion of restricted zones and administrative sanctions.
Who does it affect?
- Sheep and goat farmers in Romania, especially in Iași county and adjacent zones included in the new annexes.
- EU commercial operators who import, transport or market sheep, goats or their products from the affected zones of Romania.
- Spanish importers and distributors of meat, milk or live animals of Romanian origin that may come from the restricted zones.
- Veterinary authorities in Romania and member states that receive animals or products from the affected zones.
- Hauliers and logistics operators managing routes for live animals or products of sheep and goat origin from Romania.
Practical example
A Spanish importer who has contracted regular supply of live lambs or sheep meat from a farm located in Iași county (Romania) must act immediately:
- Verify whether the farm of origin is located within any of the protection, surveillance or additional restriction zones delimited in the new annexes of Decision 2026/1943.
- If the farm is within the restricted zones, animal and product movements are subject to emergency measures: supply may be blocked or require additional veterinary certification.
- Contact the Romanian supplier and the competent veterinary authority to learn about the duration of measures and conditions for resuming shipments.
This scenario may affect any Spanish operator working with sheep or goat suppliers in Romania, regardless of business volume.
What should companies do now?
- Identify the geographic origin of supplies: check whether sheep or goat suppliers are located in Iași county or in any other zone included in the updated annexes of Decision 2026/1943.
- Consult official annexes: review the new annexes of Decision 2026/1943 published in the EU Official Journal to identify exactly which zones are affected and what measures apply in each one.
- Contact Romanian suppliers: request confirmation that the farm of origin is not within the restricted zones and request updated veterinary documentation.
- Alert the logistics department: inform those responsible for transport and customs about possible movement restrictions to avoid border detention or merchandise rejection.
- Monitor outbreak evolution: emergency zones may expand or shrink depending on epidemiological developments. Establish an alert system to detect new Commission decisions that modify the situation.
- Consult the competent veterinary authority: in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is the reference body for inquiries about health restrictions on trade in animals and animal products.
Frequently asked questions
What zones in Romania are affected by the new emergency measures?
Decision 2026/1943 expands the protection, surveillance and additional restriction zones to include Iași county, where a new outbreak was notified on 3 August 2026. The exact zones are delimited in the updated annexes of the decision, available in the EU Official Journal.
When do the new sheep pox restrictions in Romania come into force?
The measures of Decision 2026/1943 entered into force on 13 August 2026, the same day as its publication, given the urgent nature of the emergency measures.
Can Spain be affected by the sheep pox outbreak in Romania?
Yes, indirectly. Spain may be affected through restrictions on trade in sheep, goats or their products from the affected zones of Romania. Spanish importers and operators working with Romanian suppliers must verify the geographic origin of their supplies.
What is Category A of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and what does it imply for sheep pox?
Category A is the highest level of animal health alert in the EU, reserved for diseases that can cause serious economic losses and significant disruptions to intra-community trade. For sheep and goat pox, it implies the immediate application of emergency measures, movement restrictions and mandatory notification to the European Commission.
What regulation does Decision 2026/1943 amend and what is the main difference?
Decision 2026/1943 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1108. The main difference is the update of the annexes that delimit the protection, surveillance and additional restriction zones, expanding them to include Iași county following the new outbreak notified on 3 August 2026, and the update of the deadlines for the duration of measures.
Official source
Consult full regulation at 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=CELEX:32026D1943