Romanian sheep breeders protest export ban, demand ANSVSA head resign

sheep breeders export ban Alexandru Bociu small ruminant pest Romania

Around 5,000 sheep and goat breeders gathered in Bucharest on 30 July 2026, first in front of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) and later in the Victory Square. Police used tear‑gas and irritant spray after some protesters tried to breach barriers. The demonstrators demanded the dismissal of ANSVSA president Alexandru Bociu, the lifting of the EU‑imposed export ban on live ovine and caprine animals, compensation for losses, and state‑funded anthrax vaccination.

Vice‑premier Tánczos Barna met the breeders at the Victoria Palace, promising a government‑drafted plan to end the crisis and to present it to the European Commission next week. He also signalled that a decision on Bociu’s removal could be taken promptly.

Bociu, however, rejected calls to step down, arguing that under his leadership Romania has returned to the top spot in Europe for sheep and goat exports and that outbreaks of the small‑ruminant pest have fallen from 1,600 to fewer than 30 nationwide. The export ban stems from a confirmed outbreak of “pestă a micilor rumegătoare” in farms in Mureș and other counties, which the EU decision 2026/1387 bars until 31 December.

The sector estimates that exports generated roughly €500 million in the first five months of 2026, of which €350 million came from live‑animal sales.

Entities

ANSVSA · Alexandru Bociu · Bucharest · European Commission · National Authority for Veterinary and Food Safety (ANSVSA) · Romanian Government · Romanian sheep breeders · Romanian sheep farmers · Tánczos Barna

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] Approximately 5,000 sheep breeders gathered in front of ANSVSA in Bucharest to protest the export ban. intermediatv.ro · vocearomanului.ro · jurnaluldearges.ro · cursdeguvernare.ro · cvlpress.ro · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The export ban was imposed after a confirmed outbreak of the pest “peste a micilor rumegătoare” in farms in Mureș and other counties. vocearomanului.ro · cvlpress.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] EU decision 2026/1387 blocks Romanian sheep and goat exports to third‑country markets until 31 December 2026. vocearomanului.ro · cursdeguvernare.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Sheep exports generated roughly €500 million in the first five months of 2026, about €350 million of which came from live‑animal sales. jurnaluldearges.ro
[● 7 SOURCES] Protesters demanded the dismissal of ANSVSA president Alexandru Bociu. intermediatv.ro · vocearomanului.ro · cvlpress.ro · jurnaluldearges.ro · www.radiooltenia.ro · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Vice‑premier Tánczos Barna met the breeders and promised a plan to lift the export ban, to be discussed with the European Commission. www.radiooltenia.ro · cursdeguvernare.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] ANSVSA president Alexandru Bociu said he has no reason to resign, citing Romania’s return to the #1 spot in Europe for sheep and goat exports. incomemagazine.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] Police used tear‑gas and irritant spray to disperse the protesters after some tried to remove security barriers. intermediatv.ro · jurnaluldearges.ro