Foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus 2026: restricted zones and controls for livestock farmers and EU operators

Key data

Livestock and commercial operators working with cloven-hoofed animals from Cyprus must immediately review their movement protocols. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1277, adopted on 5 June 2026 and published on 10 June, amends Decision 2026/582 and adjusts the restricted zones in force due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on the island. The disease is highly contagious and affects all cloven-hoofed animals: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and cervids, among others.

The change is not minor: the redefinition of restricted zones can open or close commercial corridors overnight, with direct consequences for supply contracts, exports and health certificates.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1277 amends the previous rule (2026/582) on three main axes:

• Adjustment of restricted zones: The geographic perimeters within Cyprus where movement restrictions apply are updated. The zones may expand or contract depending on the evolution of the outbreak.
• Conditions for movement of animals: The requirements for the transfer of live animals of sensitive species (cloven-hoofed) from the affected territories to other regions of Cyprus or to other EU Member States are reviewed.
• Conditions for animal products: The restrictions applicable to products derived from sensitive animals (meat, milk, dairy products, semen, embryos, among others) from the restricted zones are updated.

The purpose of the amendment is to contain the active outbreak and prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to other Member States, in line with the principle of health regionalization applied by the EU in these cases.

Economic and operational impact

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the animal diseases with the greatest economic impact worldwide. An active outbreak in an EU Member State automatically triggers trade restrictions that affect the entire livestock value chain. In the case of Cyprus, the effects are concentrated on:

• Blocked or conditional exports: Live animals and animal products from restricted zones cannot circulate freely to other Member States without meeting the specific requirements of the decision.
• Certification and additional control costs: Operators must obtain specific health certificates for each movement, which increases administrative times and costs.
• Mandatory border controls: All EU Member States are obliged to apply controls on goods from the affected zones in Cyprus. This can cause delays in the supply chain.
• Risk of contract breach: If an operator has supply contracts for live animals or meat products from Cyprus, they must verify whether the points of origin remain within or outside the updated restricted zones.

Who does it affect?

• Cypriot livestock farmers with farms of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or other cloven-hoofed species located in or near the restricted zones.
• Commercial operators who export live animals or animal products from Cyprus to other EU Member States.
• Importers and distributors in other EU countries that receive goods of Cypriot origin.
• Veterinary authorities in Cyprus, responsible for applying controls at source and issuing the required health certificates.
• Competent authorities of Member States, obliged to apply border controls on goods from the affected zones.
• Transport and logistics companies that operate routes with origin or destination in the restricted zones of Cyprus.

Practical example

A Spanish operator who regularly imports live lambs from a Cypriot farm must act as follows after the publication of Decision 2026/1277:

1. Verify whether the farm of origin is located within the new restricted zones updated by the decision.
2. If the farm is within a restricted zone, the movement of animals to Spain is conditional or blocked until the specific requirements established in the regulation are met.
3. If the farm is outside the restricted zones, the movement can be carried out, but the animals will be subject to mandatory border controls by the Spanish authorities.
4. In any case, the operator must request from the Cypriot veterinary authority the updated health certificate that certifies compliance with the conditions of Decision 2026/1277.

This same scheme applies to any EU operator working with meat, dairy or any other animal product from Cyprus.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify the exact geographic origin of animals or products imported from Cyprus and check whether it matches the restricted zones updated by Decision 2026/1277.
2. Contact the Cypriot supplier to confirm whether their farm is affected by the new restrictions and what health certificates they can issue.
3. Review supply contracts in force with origin in Cyprus and identify force majeure clauses or health contingencies that may be activated.
4. Coordinate with your own veterinary authorities (or with the official veterinary service of your country) to learn about the border control requirements applicable to Cypriot goods.
5. Update internal traceability protocols to ensure that any movement of animals or products from Cyprus is documented in accordance with the new decision.
6. Monitor the evolution of the outbreak through the EU animal disease notification system (ADIS — Animal Disease Information System), as restricted zones may continue to be modified.

Official source

Consult full regulation at official source — EUR-Lex CELEX:32026D1277

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:32026D1277