Romania imposes 30‑day national quarantine on sheep and goats after disease outbreak

The National Authority for Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety (ANSVSA) announced a 30‑day nationwide quarantine for ovine and caprine livestock following confirmation of Small Ruminant Pox (PMR) in a farm in Mureș County. All movements of sheep and goats across Romania are suspended, except direct transport to slaughterhouses with written approval from the relevant veterinary directorate. Grazing is prohibited in affected zones, and the same pasture cannot be shared by different herders.

Police, the Gendarmerie and Border Police will intensify checks to stop illegal animal transport, with a veterinary officer required on site within 60 minutes of any interception. The measures also aim to limit the spread of African Swine Fever (PPA), which is simultaneously present in the country. The virus does not infect humans and does not affect food safety.

The outbreak prompted the European Commission to suspend Romanian ovine exports, exacerbating existing concerns about animal‑welfare standards in live‑animal shipments from ports such as Midia. The sector faces estimated losses of €128 million. In response, AUR deputy Dan Tanasă called for the dismissal of ANSVSA’s leadership, accusing them of driving the ovine sector to the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, interim Agriculture Minister Tanczos Barna asserted that Romania will remain the EU’s largest sheep exporter and is working to lift the export restrictions.