The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment announced that the decree, dated 5 March 2026, was issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment under Article 7 of the Animal Health Laws of 2001 to 2023.
The decree is titled “The Animal Health (Control, Prevention and Containment Measures for Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Decree of 2026” and sets out measures aimed at controlling and limiting the spread of the disease.
Among other provisions, the decree introduces:
- restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals to and from holdings
- restrictions on the movement of animal feed and on the grazing of cloven-hoofed animals
- restrictions on the movement of persons and equipment to and from holdings in zones where the relevant measures apply
- a ban on the grazing of cloven-hoofed animals
The decree also provides for specific exemptions subject to authorisation by the competent authority for purposes related to the operation of holdings.
It further clarifies that “cloven-hoofed animals” include cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, camels, deer, antelopes, llamas, alpacas and mouflon.
In its announcement, the Ministry of Agriculture stressed that failure to comply with the provisions of the decree constitutes a violation of the Animal Health Laws. According to Article 13B of the Animal Health Law of 2001 (109(I)/2001), as amended, an administrative fine of up to €5,000 may be imposed.