Answer to a written question – Imports of sheep and goats from countries with active foot-and-mouth disease – E-001823/2025(ASW)

The Commission has adopted emergency measures[1] pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/429[2] and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/687[3].

These measures include restrictions on the movement of susceptible animals and products from the affected areas. The definition of such restricted areas ensures safe trade from non-restricted areas of the EU, including affected Member States.

Consignments of live animals from different restricted areas are only authorised if all conditions laid down in Union law are met, including pre-export quarantine and veterinary certification.

Compliance with these requirements falls under the responsibility of the competent authorities of the Member States concerned. Member States must record the results of checks performed on animals involved in intra-EU trade in TRACES and their performance can be monitored during Commission audits.

• [1] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/672 of 31 March 2025 concerning certain emergency measures relating to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Hungary and Slovakia and repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/613 (OJ L, 2025/672, 2.4.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/672/oj).
• [2] Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj).
• [3] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 64, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj).