Overview of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795
This Regulation serves as a technical consolidation of health safety standards governing the cross-border movement of terrestrial animals within the EU, specifically targeting Bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD).
Key Regulatory Changes:
- Unified Disease Mitigation: The Regulation replaces the existing Annex IX of Regulation (EU) 2020/688 to create a harmonized framework for Bluetongue and EHD. It sets standardized criteria for vector-protected establishments, vaccination protocols, and mandatory testing procedures to control the spread of these diseases.
- Equine Transit Facilitation: A new Article (69a) introduces a simplified movement procedure for registered equine animals. It permits transit through another Member State without standard animal health certification, provided the transport is direct, does not exceed 12 hours, and is documented via a self-declaration of health.
- Administrative Streamlining: The Regulation eliminates previous bureaucratic requirements, most notably the mandate that slaughter-bound animals originate from establishments free of disease reports for a 30-day period. This is replaced by a focus on the immediate health status of the animal and a requirement for slaughter within 24 hours of arrival.
- Regulatory Scope: The rules apply to cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, ensuring that risk-mitigation measures for Bluetongue (now categorized as D+E) are applied consistently across all Member States.
Effective Date: The provisions set forth in this Regulation become applicable on 1 November 2026.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795 of 27 March 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and introducing a derogation for movements of registered equine animals
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795 amends the existing animal health framework regarding the movement of terrestrial animals within the European Union, specifically focusing on Bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) virus. The act simplifies and aligns the rules for these two diseases, which are epidemiologically similar and affect the same species, by removing ineffective administrative burdens and updating risk-mitigation requirements. Furthermore, it introduces a new, streamlined derogation for the movement of registered equine animals that transit through other Member States while remaining within the same country of origin. This regulation is a technical update to ensure that animal health requirements remain effective and proportionate to current epidemiological risks.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The Regulation functions as an amendment to the primary framework, **Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688**. Its structure is divided into two main parts:
1. **Alignment and Simplification of Disease Controls:** The act removes several redundant or low-effectiveness requirements, such as specific supplementary risk-mitigating measures for slaughterhouse operators and special rules for travelling circuses or confined establishments that were rarely utilized or difficult to enforce.
2. **Introduction of Equine Derogation:** A new Article (69a) is inserted to allow registered equine animals to move between establishments in the same Member State via another Member State without full animal health certification, provided they are accompanied by a self-declaration and meet specific biosecurity conditions.
3. **Updated Annex IX:** The Annex is entirely replaced to provide a consolidated and clear set of risk-mitigating measures (such as vector-free periods, vaccination requirements, and vector-protected establishments) for both Bluetongue and EHD.
Compared to previous versions, this act shifts from a fragmented approach to a more unified system for Bluetongue and EHD, reflecting the recent re-categorization of Bluetongue (serotypes 1-24) as a category D+E disease under EU law.
### Key Provisions for Practical Use
For operators and competent authorities, the following provisions are the most critical:
* **Standardized Risk Mitigation (Annex IX):** This is the core of the regulation. It details the exact requirements for moving animals from areas where these diseases are present, including specific timeframes for vaccination, serological testing, and the maintenance of “vector-protected establishments.”
* **Equine Transit Derogation (Article 69a):** This is a significant practical change for the equine industry. It permits transit through other Member States without standard health certification, provided the operator issues a self-declaration confirming the animals are healthy, the transport is direct, and the journey is completed within 12 hours.
* **Removal of 30-day Reporting Rule:** The regulation removes the requirement that animals intended for slaughter must come from an establishment where no disease was reported in the last 30 days. This is replaced by reliance on existing rules that prevent the movement of symptomatic animals and mandate slaughter within 24 hours of arrival.
* **Effective Date:** While the regulation was adopted in March 2026, it is important to note that its provisions apply from **1 November 2026**, aligning with the broader re-categorization of Bluetongue virus rules across the Union.
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**:** This regulation directly impacts the movement of livestock and equine animals across EU borders. Given the ongoing challenges related to animal disease surveillance in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, these updated requirements for Bluetongue and EHD are highly relevant for any cross-border movement of susceptible species (such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer) involving EU Member States.
