Aragón relaxes livestock restrictions due to lumpy skin disease.

Aragón once again allows the holding of livestock exhibitions, gatherings of live animals and bullfighting events throughout its territory, after confirming vaccination coverage of over 90% of cattle farms against contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC). This is established by the Resolution of 30 July 2026, of the Director General of Food Quality and Safety, Enrique Novales Allué, published in the Official Bulletin of Aragon number 156, of 13 August 2026. The regulation updates the health measures for the prevention, control and eradication of DNC and adopts additional measures against bluetongue disease.

DNC is a viral disease of mandatory declaration and high transmissibility that affects cattle. The first outbreak in Spain was declared in Catalonia on 3 October 2025 and, since 21 October, Aragon prohibited the participation of cattle in exhibitions and gatherings. On 13 March 2026, the first two outbreaks were confirmed in Fiscal (Huesca), which led to the official declaration of the disease through Order AGA/434/2026, of 11 March, and mandatory vaccination in all cattle farms in the province of Huesca and in those assigned to the Regional Agrarian and Food Offices of Tauste, Ejea de los Caballeros and Sos del Rey Católico, in Zaragoza.

The favourable epidemiological evolution and vaccination coverage of over 90% of farms and 75% of animals in the vaccination area have led the regional government to reconsider the restrictions. The new resolution annuls the Resolution of 15 April 2026, which in turn had updated the measures provided for in the resolution of 17 March 2026.

Requirements for exhibitions, gatherings and bullfighting events

• Have remained on the farm of origin for at least the 28 days prior to transport.
• No symptoms compatible with DNC have been observed on the farm during the 48 hours prior to movement.
• Be in a period of vaccine or maternal immunity against DNC; immunity lasts one year from administration and the first vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before the movement.

In popular bullfighting shows and events held within the vaccination area, the participation of fighting animals from vaccination-free areas will be exceptionally permitted if the animal dies during the event or if, in the case of survival, it is vaccinated against DNC and remains at the premises for at least 28 days before returning to its farm.

Measures against bluetongue

Since 2024, serotypes 3 and 8 of the bluetongue virus have been circulating in Aragon, a non-zoonotic disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants, especially sheep, and is transmitted by insect vectors of the genus Culicoides. Given the high vector activity and the recent detection of new cases, preventive measures remain in place:

• It is recommended that sheep participating in livestock shows or gatherings be vaccinated against serotypes 3, 4 and 8 of the virus.
• If they come from territories where serotype 1 is present, vaccination against that serotype is also recommended.

Biosecurity and validity

All participating animals must have received an insecticide treatment prior to transport, except those destined directly for slaughter, which will receive treatment with insect repellent. Transport vehicles must be cleaned, disinfected and disinsectised before loading, and movements to bullfighting events shall comply with the biosecurity established in the resolution of 21 November 2025.

The resolution, adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Law 8/2003, of 24 April, on animal health, takes effect upon its publication and shall remain in force until 31 December 2026, although the territorial scope of application and the restrictions may be modified depending on the epidemiological evolution of notifiable diseases and bluetongue.

The decision clears the calendar of fairs, livestock shows and events in rural Aragon, which had been severely constrained since last autumn, and provides certainty to farmers and organisers in the middle of the summer campaign. Protection of the cattle and sheep herds is maintained through vaccination and biosecurity requirements, with an eye on the evolution of both diseases in the coming months.

Source: Official Gazette of Aragon, number 156, of 13 August 2026, section III. Other Provisions and Agreements (official reference: BOA20260813022).