Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1955 of 19 August 2026 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 concerning certain emergency measures relating to sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria (notified under document C(2026) 5924) (Only the Bulgarian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)
Grade B
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Address https://gelex.eu/eli/EU/decision/2026/1955@2026-08-19/en
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to 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), and in particular Article 259(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Sheep pox and goat pox is an infectious viral disease affecting caprine and ovine animals, and it can have a severe impact on the concerned animal population and the profitability of farming causing disturbance to movements of consignments of those animals and products thereof within the Union and exports to third countries. In the event of an outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox in caprine or ovine animals, there is a serious risk of the spread of that disease to other establishments keeping those animals.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 supplements the rules for the control of the listed diseases referred to in Article 9(1), points (a), (b) and (c), of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and defined as category A, B and C diseases in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882. In particular, Articles 21 and 22 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 provide for the establishment of a restricted zone in the event of an outbreak of a category A disease, including sheep pox and goat pox, and for certain measures to be applied therein. In addition, Article 21(1) of that Delegated Regulation provides that the restricted zone is to comprise a protection zone, a surveillance zone, and, if necessary, a further restricted zone around or adjacent to the protection and surveillance zones.
(3) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 was adopted following outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria, and it lays down certain emergency measures to be taken by that Member State. More particularly, Article 1 of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 provides that the protection, surveillance, and further restricted zones to be established by that Member State, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, are to comprise at least the areas listed in Parts A and B of Annex I to that Implementing Decision. It also provides that the measures required to be applied in those zones are to be applied at least until the dates listed in that Annex.
(4) Since the last amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1945, Bulgaria has notified the Commission of two additional outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments keeping ovine animals in the regions of Haskovo and Kyustendil, within the period from 7 to 11 August 2026. One of those new outbreaks is located outside the restricted zones that were already established as a result of previous outbreaks, namely in the region of Kyustendil, where the disease had not been previously reported. In response, Bulgaria has established protection and surveillance zones in the regions of Haskovo and Kyustendil, in which the disease control measures laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 are being applied.
(5) Therefore, the areas listed as protection, surveillance and further restricted zones for Bulgaria in Annex I to Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, as well as the duration of the measures applicable therein, should be adjusted to take account of the new outbreaks. Accordingly, it is necessary to amend the list of restricted zones, and the duration of the measures to be applied therein, set out in Annex I to that Implementing Decision as well as the list of zones, set out in Annex II to that Implementing Decision, in which the measures applicable to further restricted zones are to be applied, and the duration of the measures to be applied therein.
(6) The Annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 should, therefore, be amended accordingly.
(7) The size of the protection, surveillance, and further restricted zones, and the duration of the measures to be applied therein, is based on the criteria laid down in Article 64(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, as well as the rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. The criteria applied for the choice of the size and the number of the protection, surveillance, and further restricted zones, as well as of the duration of the measures to be applied therein, include a consideration of not only the epidemiological situation as regards sheep pox and goat pox in the areas affected by that disease, but also of the overall epidemiological situation of sheep pox and goat pox in the entire territory of the Member State concerned by that disease, as well as the level of risk for the further spread of the disease. In addition, the duration of the measures provided for by this Decision has been determined in line with the international standards set out in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
(8) Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards the spread of sheep pox and goat pox, and the need to prevent that disease from spreading from the affected establishments in Bulgaria to other parts of that Member State or to other Member States, the amendments to be made to Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, by this Decision, should take effect as soon as possible.
(9) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 are replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Bulgaria.
Done at Brussels, 19 August 2026. For the Commission Olivér Várhelyi Member of the Commission
ANNEX
ANNEX
ANNEX I
Part A Protection and surveillance zones established around the confirmed outbreaks
Region and ADIS reference number of the outbreak Areas established as protection and surveillance zones, part of the restricted zone in Bulgaria referred to in Article 1 Date until applicable Region of Plovdiv BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00039 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00042 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00045 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00046 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00047 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00048 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00061 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00069 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00070 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00073 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00078 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00084 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00088 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00090 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00091 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00092 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00094 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00095 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00097 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00135 BG-CAPRIPOX-2025-00149 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00001 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00002 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00004 Protection zone: Those parts of the regions of Plovdiv, Haskovo, and Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.200, Long. 24.790453 (2025/39), Lat. 42.2829, Long. 24.9637 (2025/42), Lat. 42.2308, Long 25.0438 (2025/45), Lat. 42.2401, Long. 25.0556 (2025/46), Lat. 42.2037, Long. 25.0513 (2025/47), Lat. 42.1959, Long. 25.0566 (2025/48), Lat. 42.0248, Long. 25.096 (2025/61), Lat. 42.2883, Long. 24.6303 (2025/69), Lat. 42.3705, Long. 24.725 (2025/70), Lat. 42.3263, Long. 24.6724 (2025/73), Lat. 42.0146, Long. 25.2956 (2025/78), , Lat. 42.3063, Long. 24.5243 (2025/84), Lat. 41.9443, Long. 25.2481 (2025/88), Lat. 41.9423, Long. 25.2434 (2025/90), Lat. 41.9449, Long. 25.2471 (2025/91), Lat. 42.267, Long. 24.554 (2025/92), Lat. 42.2848, Long. 24.5428 (2025/94), Lat. 42.2757, Long. 24.5373 (2025/95), Lat. 41.9456, Long. 25.2427 (2025/97), , Lat. 42.1483, Long. 25.0517 (2025/135), Lat. 42.0859, Long. 24.7088 (2025/149), Lat. 42.3442, Long. 24.8236 (2026/1), Lat. 42.0275, Long. 25.1041 (2026/4). 31.12.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the regions of Plovdiv, , Stara Zagora, Haskovo and Pazardzhik contained within a circle of a radius of 20 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.200, Long. 24.790453 (2025/39), Lat. 42.2829, Long. 24.9637 (2025/42), Lat. 42.2308, Long 25.0438 (2025/45), Lat. 42.2401, Long. 25.0556 (2025/46), Lat. 42.2037, Long. 25.0513 (2025/47), Lat. 42.1959, Long. 25.0566 (2025/48), Lat. 42.0248, Long. 25.096 (2025/61), Lat. 42.2883, Long. 24.6303 (2025/69), Lat. 42.3705, Long. 24.725 (2025/70), Lat. 42.3263, Long. 24.6724 (2025/73), Lat. 42.0146, Long. 25.2956 (2025/78), Lat. 42.3063, Long. 24.5243 (2025/84), Lat. 41.9443, Long. 25.2481 (2025/88), Lat. 41.9423, Long. 25.2434 (2025/90), Lat. 41.9449, Long. 25.2471 (2025/91), Lat. 42.267, Long. 24.554 (2025/92), Lat. 42.2848, Long. 24.5428 (2025/94), Lat. 42.2757, Long. 24.5373 (2025/95), Lat. 41.9456, Long. 25.2427 (2025/97), Lat. 42.1228, Long. 24.9373 (2025/138), Lat. 42.0859, Long. 24.7088 (2025/149), Lat. 42.3905, Long. 25.131 (2025/153), Lat. 42.3442, Long. 24.8236 (2026/1), Lat. 42.0275, Long. 25.1041 (2026/4). excluding the areas contained in the protection zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Haskovo BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00003 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00010 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00011 Protection zone: Those parts of the regions of Haskovo, and Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.981(2026/3), Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.983 (2026/10), Lat. 41.860, Long. 25.510 (2026/11). 28.9.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the regions of Haskovo and Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 20 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.981(2026/3), Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.983 (2026/10), Lat. 41.860, Long. 25.510 (2026/11), excluding the areas contained in the protection zone. 16.10.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the regions of Haskovo and Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.981(2026/3), Lat. 42.059, Long. 25.983 (2026/10), Lat. 41.860, Long. 25.510 (2026/11). 29.9.2026-16.10.2026 Region of Blagoevgrad BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00005 Protection zone: Those parts of the region of Blagoevgrad contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 41.47007, Long. 23.69399 (2026/5). 21.9.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Blagoevgrad contained within a circle of a radius of 20 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 41.47007, Long. 23.69399 (2026/5) excluding the areas contained in the protection zone. 9.10.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Blagoevgrad contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 41.47007, Long. 23.69399 (2026/5). 22.9.2026 – 9.10.2026 Region of Stara Zagora BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00006 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00007 BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00008 Protection zone: Those parts of the region of Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.334, Long. 25.2153 (2026/6) Lat. 42.2401, Long. 25.2523 (2026/7) Lat. 42.2168, Long. 25.2290 (2026/8) 18.9.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Stara Zagora and Haskovo contained within a circle of a radius of 20 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.334, Long. 25.2153 (2026/6); Lat. 42.2401, Long. 25.2523 (2026/7); Lat. 42.2168, Long. 25.2290 (2026/8) excluding the areas contained in the protection zone. 6.10.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Stara Zagora contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.334, Long. 25.2153 (2026/6); Lat. 42.2401, Long. 25.2523 (2026/7); Lat. 42.2168, Long. 25.2290 (2026/8) 19.9.2026 – 6.10.2026 Region of Kyustendil BG-CAPRIPOX-2026-00009 Protection zone: Those parts of the region of Kyustendil contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.197, Long. 22.673 (2026/9). 22.9.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Kyustendil contained within a circle of a radius of 20 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.197, Long. 22.673 (2026/9), excluding the areas contained in the protection zone. 10.10.2026 Surveillance zone: Those parts of the region of Kyustendil contained within a circle of a radius of 5 kilometres, centred on UTM 30, ETRS89 coordinates Lat. 42.197, Long. 22.673 (2026/9). 23.9.2026 – 10.10.2026
Part B Further restricted zones
Further restricted zone Region Areas included in the further restricted zones established in Bulgaria as referred to in Article 2 Date until applicable Further restricted zone Region of Plovdiv The entire region of Plovdiv excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Blagoevgrad The entire region of Blagoevgrad excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Haskovo The entire region of Haskovo excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Stara Pazardzhik The entire region of Pazardzhik excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Kyustendil The entire region of Kyustendil excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026 Region of Stara Zagora The entire region of Stara Zagora excluding the areas included in any protection or surveillance zone. 31.12.2026
ANNEX II
Area Region Areas, referred to in Article 3 Date until applicable Area Region of Plovdiv The entire region of Plovdiv. 31.12.2026 Region of Blagoevgrad The entire region of Blagoevgrad. 31.12.2026 Region of Haskovo The entire region of Haskovo. 31.12.2026 Region of Stara Pazardzhik The entire region of Pazardzhik. 31.12.2026 Region of Kyustendil The entire region of Kyustendil. 31.12.2026 Region of Stara Zagora The entire region of Stara Zagora. 31.12.2026
Versions
Cited by
- Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2052 of 8 September 2026 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160 concerning certain emergency measures relating to sheep pox and goat pox in Bulgaria (notified under document C(2026) 6468) (Only the Bulgarian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) Decision · Grade B
Since the last amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1160, by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1955, Bulgaria has notified the Commission of thirteen additional outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments keeping ovine animals in the regions of Blagoevgrad, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Stara Zagora and Yambol, within the period from 20 to 31 August 2026. Several of those new outbreaks are located outside the restricted zones that were already established as a result of previous outbreaks, namely in the regions of Kardzhali and Yambol, where the disease had not been previously