PPA Risk Zones 2026: What Changes for Livestock Farmers and Meat Operators

Key data

Pork farms and meat operators in the EU have, from May 20, 2026, a new delimitation of African swine fever (ASF) risk zones that can radically change their marketing capacity. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1136 amends Annex I of Regulation 2023/594 and updates which territories fall under special control and with what level of restriction.

This is not a minor change: the reclassification of a zone can mean the difference between being able to move animals and products freely or being blocked from national and intra-community trade.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1136 updates the Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which is the map of geographical zones subject to special ASF control measures in the European Union. The amendment involves changes in the classification of zones in different Member States.

The zoning system works with three risk levels, each with a different regime of restrictions:

Changes in territorial delimitation may mean that a farm previously outside any zone becomes included in zone II or III, or that a previously restricted zone is released. Both scenarios have immediate operational and commercial consequences.

Economic and operational impact

Classification in an ASF risk zone has direct consequences for business operations and income:

• Restrictions on live pig movement: Farms in affected zones cannot move animals freely. Each transfer requires authorization and compliance with specific protocols.
• Limitations on pork product and by-product marketing: Slaughterhouses and meat operators located in zones II or III see their sales capacity restricted, both in the national market and towards other EU Member States.
• Biosecurity costs: Farms in affected zones must comply with strict biosecurity protocols, which involves investment in preventive measures, veterinary controls and additional documentation.
• Risk of sanctions: Non-compliance with measures can result in sanctions and trade restrictions at both national and intra-community level.
• Impact on supply chain: Operators who buy or process product from reclassified zones must review their contracts and supply flows.

Who does it affect?

• Pork farmers whose farms are included in the new delimitations of zone I, II or III in any EU Member State.
• Slaughterhouses located in affected zones or receiving animals from such zones.
• Meat sector operators (cutting rooms, processing industries, distributors) working with product originating in reclassified zones.
• Veterinary authorities responsible for implementing and supervising control measures in affected territories.
• Importers and exporters of pork products operating with Member States with modified zones, as restrictions affect intra-community trade.

Practical example

Imagine an intensive pork farm located in a region that, with the update of Regulation 2026/1136, moves from being outside any risk zone to being included in zone II.

From May 20, 2026, that farm must:

• Stop or subject to prior authorization any movement of live pigs to other facilities or slaughterhouses outside the zone.
• Immediately implement the biosecurity protocols required for zone II, with the associated operational costs.
• Review all its supply contracts with slaughterhouses and meat operators, as these may reject or condition the receipt of animals from zone II.
• Document and justify to the competent veterinary authority compliance with special control measures.

If the operator does not act quickly, they risk sanctions and loss of access to the intra-community market, with the resulting direct impact on their income.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the new territorial delimitation: Consult the updated Annex I of Regulation 2023/594 (amended by Regulation 2026/1136) to check whether your municipality or facility is included in zone I, II or III, or has been excluded from a previous zone.
2. Contact the competent veterinary authority: Confirm with national or regional authorities whether your zone classification has changed and what specific protocols you must apply from May 20, 2026.
3. Review contracts and commercial flows: If your farm or facility is in an affected zone, review supply, transport and marketing contracts to identify potential restrictions or breaches.
4. Implement or strengthen biosecurity protocols: Farms in affected zones must comply with strict biosecurity measures. Document all actions to prove compliance during inspections.
5. Inform customers and suppliers: If your zone has changed classification, communicate this to your customers (slaughterhouses, meat operators) and suppliers to avoid supply chain disruptions.
6. Monitor future updates: ASF zones are reviewed periodically. Establish a system to track regulatory changes to respond quickly to new reclassifications.