EU tightens sheep and goat pox zones across Bulgaria

The European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2052 on 8 September 2026, amending the emergency measures against sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria. Published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series, 10.9.2026) and notified under document C(2026) 6468, the decision updates the restricted zones and movement controls that apply to Bulgarian livestock farmers and to intra-EU trade in ovine and caprine animals.

The act amends Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, the framework adopted in June 2025 after the first outbreaks in Bulgaria. It is based on Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law), in particular Article 259(1), and applies the disease-control rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882. Only the Bulgarian text is authentic, and the act has EEA relevance.

Thirteen new outbreaks widen the affected area

Since the previous amendment, Bulgaria notified the Commission of thirteen additional outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments keeping ovine animals, recorded between 20 and 31 August 2026. The new cases were detected in five regions:

• Blagoevgrad
• Haskovo
• Kardzhali
• Stara Zagora
• Yambol

Several of these outbreaks lie outside the restricted zones already in place, notably in Kardzhali and Yambol, where the disease had not previously been reported. In response, Bulgaria has established protection and surveillance zones where the control measures of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 are being applied.

Redrawn zones and deadlines

The decision replaces the annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, adjusting the size and duration of the protection, surveillance and further restricted zones. Protection zones cover a 5-kilometre radius around each confirmed outbreak, while surveillance zones extend to 20 kilometres, excluding the protection areas.

The further restricted zones now cover the entire territory of ten regions — Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Kyustendil, Stara Zagora, Kardzhali, Yambol, Sliven and Burgas — with measures applicable until 31 December 2026. Protection and surveillance zones around the most recent outbreaks carry shorter deadlines, ranging from early October to late October 2026.

Legal basis and urgency

The size and duration of the zones follow the criteria of Article 64(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and the rules of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, taking into account both the local epidemiological situation and the overall risk across the Member State. The duration of the measures is aligned with the international standards of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union and the need to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of Bulgaria or to other Member States, the amendments take effect as soon as possible. The decision, signed by Commission Member Olivér Várhelyi, is addressed to the Republic of Bulgaria and was adopted in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.

For Bulgarian livestock farmers, the decision means continued movement restrictions and surveillance obligations across a large part of the country, with direct consequences for the transport and export of sheep and goats and their products within the single market.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, L series, 10.9.2026, p. 1 (official reference: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2052, CELEX 32026D2052).