Switzerland does not impose any unilateral protective measures on trade with the EU in animals and goods. In the interests of animal health, however, both the EU and Switzerland may impose restrictions that override the regulations that normally apply.
Good to know
From 1 July 2024, the legal provisions on protective measures that apply to trade with the EU can be found here. These will be updated at least weekly.
The previous FSVO ordinances on measures to prevent the introduction of selected epizootic diseases on import were lifted on 1 July 2024.
Protective measures serve to reduce to the greatest extent possible the risk of epizootic diseases spreading via trade. They are prescribed on the basis of scientific findings and may apply to different animals and goods, depending on the properties of the epizootic pathogen.
Carriers of pathogens may include: live animals, breeding material, foodstuffs such as meat and milk, game that has been shot, skins, pelts and other animal by-products, and hay and straw.
If an epizootic event occurs, the responsible authorities define restricted zones from which the affected animals and animal products may not be traded at all or only with authorisation. Anyone breaching these restrictions is liable to prosecution and risks the animals or goods concerned being seized.
The same veterinary regulations that apply to trade in live animals and animal products between EU Member States also apply between EU Member States and Switzerland based on the bilateral agreements. The same regulations also apply to trade with Norway and Northern Ireland and to trade in animals from aquaculture and animal products with Iceland. For trade in all other animals and breeding material with Iceland, the import regulations for third-party countries shall apply.
Disease situation: The FSVO and the cantonal veterinary offices provide information on outbreaks of epizootic diseases in Switzerland. See: Cantonal information system on epizootic diseases [in DE, FR and IT only] (InfoSM).
The EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Switzerland report cases of epizootic diseases to the EU's Animal Disease Information System ADIS.
Current information on the respective epizootic diseases can be found at the links below.
The FSVO provides information on the international situation and the spread of the most important diseases monthly in the Radar Bulletin: Radar [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch).
The veterinary authority of the respective Member State provides information on whether its territory is subject to animal health restrictions.
More on general regulations in trade: Import (query) (admin.ch) and Export (admin.ch);
Obligations relating to trade in live animals and breeding material
Foodstuffs
Animal by-products
Legal basis
Animal owners and entrepreneurs may not endanger the animal health situation at the destination, and must therefore observe certain rules in trade.
In the EU and Switzerland, only animals and breeding material with no signs of transmissible epizootic diseases may be traded.
Animal owners must report occurrences of suspected epizootic diseases to a veterinarian or a bee inspector immediately. Immediate action must be taken together to prevent any further spread of the epizootic disease. The cantonal veterinary office must also be informed.
Advance notification obligation
Restricted zones
Export
Any transportation must take the current situation at the places of origin and destination into account. Importers are therefore obligated to notify the cantonal veterinary office of the following shipments at least 10 days before import:
- Ungulates (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camelids, buffalo, bison, game kept on reserves)
- Gamebirds, waterfowl, ratites
- Bees and bumblebees
- Breeding material from pigs
If the establishment of origin in Switzerland or the EU is subject to an animal health restriction (due to an epizootic event), trade in animals and breeding material is strictly prohibited.
Information on the conditions for export to the EU must be obtained from the cantonal veterinary office.
Information on the respective epizootic disease can also be found on the FSVO website (see link below for the respective epizootic disease).
For exports, it is worthwhile clarifying in advance with the responsible authorities at the destination whether other national regulations need to be taken into account in addition to the harmonised regulations.
Foodstuffs of animal origin from a company in a restricted zone that could present a risk may only be traded with the authorisation of the local authorities. Any shipment of such foodstuffs must be accompanied by a health certificate, which is sent in TRACES (admin.ch). It may only be taken directly to the food company agreed in advance with the authorities at the destination, without transshipment. This ensures traceability and that contaminated goods can be withdrawn if necessary.
The responsible authorities provide food companies located in restricted zones with guidelines as to which products may or may not be sent to other Member States. When purchasing as a private individual, it is not clear which products may only be marketed nationally; it is therefore not recommended that private individuals bring foodstuffs of animal origin from regions with epizootic disease outbreaks into the country.
More information
General regulations: Import (query) (admin.ch)
Foodstuffs and utility articles (admin.ch)
Export of foods (admin.ch)
Anyone handling or disposing of animal by-products (ABPs) must ensure that no pathogens are spread and that the environment is not endangered. The cantonal veterinary office must be notified of many activities related to ABPs; some require an operating licence from the cantonal veterinary office.
An animal disease control licence from the BLV is required to trade in certain TNPs and goods of animal origin with the EU.
ABPs are classified in three risk categories based on their potential risk to humans and animals: see Animal by-products [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch).
More information
Importing from the EU: Animal by-products from the EU (admin.ch)
Exporting to the EU: Export of animals and animal products to the EU (admin.ch)
Information on additional protective measures in restricted zones can be found under the individual epizootic diseases.
The Legal framework web page includes Swiss ordinances and EU directives relating to the animal health requirements in trade applicable for live animals, breeding material (semen, eggs and embryos) and animal by-products.
Protective measures currently in force
African swine fever (ASF) - status on 01.10.2024
Protective measures
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) / bird flu - status on 01.10.2024
Sheep and goat pox - status on 01.10.2024
Bluetongue - status on 09.09.2024
Protective measures
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD)
Small hive beetle
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) – status on 01.10.2024
Protective measures
Classical swine fever
Disease situation in Switzerland
Switzerland is free from ASF.
Further information: African swine fever (ASF) [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch)
There are currently restricted zones in:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia; for exact extent, see Interactive map* of the European Commission.
Protective measures apply to shipments from restricted zones for:
pigs and wild boar (all Suidae); as live animals or in the form of whole carcasses, their breeding material, all types of meat and animal by-products of these animals, from slaughterhouses or hunting (commercial and private).
Import of food by private travellers:
The FSVO urgently recommends that private individuals do not bring in pork products when returning to Switzerland from areas affected by ASF. The responsible authorities in the countries concerned provide food companies with instructions on which products may or may not be shipped to other countries. However, private individuals who make purchases in the country themselves do not see whether they are buying products that are only intended for consumption in that country. Despite precautionary measures, these products have a higher risk of containing pathogens. Multilingual information: Attention! Achtung! Attenzione! (admin.ch).
Wild boar:
The import, export and transit of wild boar is strictly prohibited – even from areas outside of restricted zones.
Protective measures
In the event of an initial outbreak of ASF, the EU Member States define restricted zones around outbreaks in domestic pigs and infected zones around cases in wild boar. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 forms the basis for this. Annex VI stipulates the prohibitions in the restricted zone and Annex VII stipulates risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin.
In Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, the European Commission defines additional measures to combat ASF and lists the restricted zones. These are updated according to the epidemiological developments, most recently by the following amendment: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2526.
Further information
EU: African swine fever - European Commission (europa.eu)
Italy: Interactive map of Italy, of the Ministero della Salute, national reference laboratory: IZSPLV.
Germany: National reference laboratory FLI. Websites of the Federal States affected: Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hessen (with the map of the local restriction zones), Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg.
*Restricted zones in the interactive map according to the Annexes to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594:
- Annex I:
- Part I and blue on the map: areas in which no cases of ASF have been found yet, but where the wild boar are being monitored more closely.
- Part II and pink on the map: areas with cases of ASF in wild boar, with no outbreaks on pig farms.
- Part III and red on the map: areas with outbreaks of ASF on pig farms around which protective zones (approx. 3 km), surveillance zones (approx. 10 km) and “further restricted zones” in the remaining area are defined.
- Annex II:
- Part A and yellow on the map: infected zones around sites where ASF-positive wild boar in previously ASF-free areas have been found.
- Part B and purple on the map: Restricted zones around individual affected pigs farms in areas that were previously ASF-free or in which there have been no outbreaks on pig farms over the last 12 months.
Disease situation in Switzerland
The most recent case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) concerned a mute swan in Oerlingerried, Canton of Zurich, in December 2023. It was found to be infected with subtype H5N1. The control and monitoring area was lifted with effect from 26 January 2024. Further information: Bird flu in animals [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch) and Monitoring of wild birds [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch).
There are currently restricted zones in:
Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland and Portugal
Protective measures apply to shipments from restricted zones for:
birds of all types and ages, hatching eggs, eggs for consumption, poultry meat and animal by-products.
Protective measures
In the event of an initial breakout of HPAI in poultry and domestic birds, the EU Member States define restricted zones according to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. Annex VI stipulates the prohibitions in the restricted zone and Annex VII stipulates risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin. Reporting of cases in wild birds is also mandatory; the responsible authorities can define infected zones.
In Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447* the European Commission defines additional measures to combat HPAI and lists the restricted zones. The last change to this was made with Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2529.
In the EU, emergency vaccination and preventive vaccination of poultry against avian influenza is possible under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361. Vaccination of poultry against avian influenza is currently prohibited in Switzerland.
Further information
EU: Avian influenza - European Commission (europa.eu), EU map, Chronology of events; information from the EU reference laboratory in Italy: EURL Avian Flu Data Portal (izsvenezie.it)
Germany: Classical fowl plague | Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (fli.de). Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: WAHIS Event 5811; Saxony-Anhalt: WAHIS Event 5867.
France: Plateforme ESA Bulletin hebdomadaire BHVSI-SA [in FR only]; vaccination: Avian influenza: French vaccination plan | Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire. WAHIS Event 5810
Italy: Avian influenza [in IT only] (salute.gov.it)
Austria: Avian influenza (bird flu, fowl plague) [in DE only] - KVG (verbrauchergesundheit.gv.at)
*The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 lists the restricted zones and the periods for which they are each valid:
- Part A includes the protection zones (approx. 3 km around the affected farm)
- Part B includes the surveillance zones (approx. 10 km around the affected farm)
- Part C includes any further restricted zones (size as needed and according to density of poultry farms in the area)
Disease situation in Switzerland
Switzerland is free from sheep and goat pox.
Further information: Sheep and goat pox [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch)
There are currently restricted zones in:
Bulgaria and Greece
Protective measures apply to shipments from restricted zones for:
sheep, goats and their sperm, ova and embryos; all types of meat including bladders and intestines for human consumption; colostrum; milk and dairy products; and animal by-products including skins, hides and wool.
Protective measures
In the event of an initial breakout of sheep and goat pox, the EU Member States define restricted zones according to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. Annex VI stipulates the prohibitions in the restricted zone and Annex VII stipulates risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin. The European Commission defines additional measures and lists the restricted zones:
In Greece in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2207 , last amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2498.
In Bulgaria in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2466 .
Further information
Bulgaria has notified outbreaks in sheep: WAHIS Event 5848.
Greece has notified outbreaks in sheep and goats WAHIS 5825
EU: Further category A diseases - European Commission (europa.eu) > Sheep Pox and Goat Pox
Disease situation in Switzerland
On 28.08.2024 BTV-8 was confirmed in a bovine animal: WAHIS Event 5839. In addition, first cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in sheep on 29.08.2024: WAHIS Event 5840.
More information: Bluetongue BT (admin.ch) [in DE, FR and IT only]
Due to these outbreaks, a bluetongue zone covering the entire territory of Switzerland has been established: Ordonnance de l’OSAV du 02.09.2024 instituant des mesures destinées à prévenir la propagation de la fièvre catarrhale du mouton
In trade with the EU, the EU's harmonized conditions on bluetongue apply and Switzerland is a zone with “no status”.
Protective measures when shipping apply to:
cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and all other biungulates (excluding pigs) and their germinal products.
Disease situation in the EU
EU Member States with the status "BTV-free":
Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden.
Areas with the status "BTV-free":
Certain areas in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Northern Ireland
Zones with an approved eradication programme for BTV:
Certain areas in Spain
Zones with "no status" concerning BTV:
all areas shown on the map in blue, including Switzerland.
Netherlands, July 2024: remarkable increase in cases of BTV-3 in sheep and goats - with symptoms, despite the use of vaccines: webseite on BT, map of positive animals.
Germany, August 2024: Sharp increase in cases of BTV-3 with spread throughout the country (FLI)
France : situation and map regarding BTV-3
For information sources on the status
of a Member State or area, see the website of the EU Commission > Disease-free areas > "Links to the internet-based information pages of the Member States".
Since, in the event of a loss of status, the Member State must update this list within 2 working days, the information in these lists is the most up to date.
The map on the website Bluetongue - European Commission (europa.eu) is not updated as quickly as the lists.
The EU Commission lists the Member States and zones with an approved status in Annex VIII of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620. This Regulation was most recently amended by the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2032. A loss of status is shown in this Regulation less quickly.
Information sources on BTV serotypes in affected areas:
See the EU Animal Disease Information System ADIS: ADIS Notification > Document "Overview report from 1 January 2024".
Further information can be found in the Radar Bulletin (admin.ch) [in DE, FR and IT only].
Protective measures
Status:
The requirements for achieving disease-free status or for applying to carry out an eradication programme are specified in the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689.
Trade:
Measures must be taken to prevent BTV 1-24 into areas with a disease-free status or with a voluntary eradication programme. In the TRACES certificates guarantees according to the Delegated Regulations (EU) 2020/688 (living animals), 2020/686 (germinal products) and (EU) 2020/689 are required.
Requirements for trade in live animals
Requirements for trading in germinal products
- Vaccinated animals after the end of the required withdrawal period (serotypes at the place of origin or destination are relevant factors); however, vaccinations against BTV-3 are currently not recognized in cross-border trade.
- Immunised (antibody-positive) animals after the end of the required withdrawal period
- Animals from vector-protected establishments (extremely challenging implementation)
- Animals from seasonally vector-free areas (as listed in the document published on Bluetongue - European Commission (europa.eu) under "seasonally BTV-free period")
- According to special requirements of the competent authority at the destination. The EU Commission provides information on these voluntary simplified import conditions of EU Member States on its website Bluetongue - European Commission (europa.eu). These apply to all territories of origin.
Switzerland authorises the import of animals susceptible to BT of any age without requirements concerning serotype BTV-3.
All other conditions in the TRACES document remain necessary: e.g. only animals without clinical signs of disease may be moved. Inform yourself on the current situation at the place of origin before each movement. The FSVO advises against unnecessary movements.
Germinal products of cattle, sheep, goats, camelids and deer may be exported under the following conditions:
- Only from establishments in which no category D disease has been reported up to 30 days before and during the collection of the germinal products and
- From donor animals that have been tested for BTV using a blood sample by a
- serology test with a negative result during the whole collection period at least every 60 days and during the period between the 28th and 60th day after collection of the germinal products of the respective consignment or
- pathogen test with a negative result
- at the start and end of the semen collection and during the semen collection at intervals of at least every 7 days for a virus isolation test; or at least every 28 days for a PCR; or
- on the day of oocyte or embryo collection
- From donor animals that were kept for 60 days in a vector-protected establishment (extremely challenging implementation)
- From donor animals that were kept, prior to the collection of the germinal products, for at least 60 days in an area that is seasonally free from infection with BTV.
Disease category:
Bluetongue virus (BTV 1-24) of serotypes 1-24 was classified in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 as a disease in categories C, D and E.
Disease situation in Switzerland
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has not yet been detected in Switzerland.
More information: Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) (admin.ch) [in DE, FR and IT only]
Disease situation in the EU
Italy, Portugal, Spain and France have reported cases.
France: Maladie hémorragique épizootique (MHE)
Spain: Enfermedad hemorrágica epizoótica (mapa.gob.es)
Protective measures when shipping apply to:
cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and all other biungulates (excluding pigs) and their germinal products.
Legal basis for control
Measures must be taken during trading to prevent EHD escaping from affected establishments and an area of 150 km around affected establishments.
Requirements for trade in live animals
Requirements for trading in germinal products
The export of live animals from establishments situated in an area of 150 km radius in which a case of EHD has been reported is based on the requirements of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688. In the health certificates according to the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 (last amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1044). The following options are currently available:
- Animals from vector-protected establishments (extremely challenging implementation)
- Animals from seasonally vector-free areas: e.g. from Spain (in the winter months according to the document on the official Spanish website)
- According to special requirements of the competent authority at the destination. The EU Commission must be informed of these exceptions. The requirements apply to all territories of origin. Switzerland has not currently approved any exceptions for import.
Without an available and authorised vaccination against EHD, any export of live animals from affected establishments to disease-free areas is almost impossible. The requirements for seasonally vector-free areas, the required surveillance of (biting) midges and for vector-protected establishments are listed in Annex IX of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.
The export of germinal products from affected areas is based on the requirements of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/686. In the health certificates according to the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 (last amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1044) the following options are available:
- Germinal products from camelids and deer from an establishment situated in an area of 150 km radius in which a EHD was reported during the 2 years prior to the collection of the germinal products may not be moved to other Member States.
- Germinal products of cattle, sheep and goats with the health certificates "BOV-SEM-A-INTRA", "BOV-OOCYTES-EMB-A-INTRA", "OV/CAP-SEM-A-INTRA" and "OV/CAP-OOCYTES-EMB-A-INTRA" may be exported under the following conditions:
- Only from establishments in which no category D disease has been reported up to 30 days before and during the collection of the germinal product and
- From donor animals that have been tested for EHD using a blood sample by a
- serology test with a negative result during the whole collection period at least every 60 days and during the period between the 28th and 60th day after collection of the germinal products of the respective consignment or
- pathogen test with a negative result
- at the start and end of the semen collection and during the semen collection at intervals of at least every 7 days for a virus isolation test; or at least every 28 days for a PCR; or
- on the day of oocyte or embryo collection
- From donor animals that were kept for 60 days in a vector-protected establishment (extremely challenging implementation)
- From donor animals that were kept, prior to the collection of the germinal products, for at least 60 days in an area that is seasonally free from infection with EHD: e.g. from Spain (in the winter months according to the document on the official Spanish website)
Disease category:
EHD was classified in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 as a disease in categories D + E.
More information
Outbreaks of the disease are notified to the EU Animal Disease Information System ADIS (English):
- under "Animal disease information": Summary of all disease outbreaks in the previous week with map (also includes notifications of other animal diseases)
- under ADIS Notification - TRACES NT (europa.eu): cases since 1 January 2024 or previous years (Overview report from 1 of January of the current year).
Italy: Febbre catarrale degli ovini - Blue tongue (BT) e altre malattie da vettori (salute.gov.it)
Switzerland: Radar Bulletin (admin.ch) [in DE, FR and IT only].
Disease situation in Switzerland
No occurrence has been reported to date in Switzerland.
Further information: Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) [in DE, FR and IT only] (admin.ch)
There are currently restricted zones in:
Italy: entire region of Calabria, and France: Departement La Réunion.
Protective measures apply to shipments from restricted zones for:
bees, bumblebees, non-processed apiculture by-products, apiculture equipment and certain apicultural products in combs for human consumption.
Importing into Switzerland:
Importers must notify the cantonal veterinary office of shipments of bees and bumblebees at least ten days before the planned import.
Legal basis for combating disease
Reporting of infestations with Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) is mandatory and important in trading (category D disease). In Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110, the European Commission defines prohibitions for shipping animals and goods from restricted zones, surveillance of beehives and restricted zones (status as at 13 June 2024).
Further information
EU: Honey bees - European Commission (europa.eu)
- Movements between Member States and entry into the Union - European Commission (europa.eu)
- Small hive beetle outbreaks - European Commission (europa.eu)
Italy: WAHIS Event 1859; Information from the national reference laboratory: IZSVe > epidemiological situation 2024; Ministero della Salute: Aethina tumida [in IT only] (salute.gov.it)
France (La Réunion): WAHIS Event 4523;
Disease situation in Switzerland
Switzerland is free from peste des petits ruminants.
Further information: Rinderpest / Pest der kleinen Wiederkäuer (admin.ch)
There are currently restricted zones in:
Greece and Romania
Protective measures apply to shipments from restricted zones for:
sheep, goats and their sperm, ova and embryos; all types of meat including bladders and intestines for human consumption; colostrum; milk and dairy products; and animal by-products including skins, hides and wool.
Protective measures
In the event of an initial outbreak of peste des petits ruminants, the EU Member States define restricted zones according to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. Annex VI stipulates the prohibitions in the restricted zone and Annex VII stipulates risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin.
The European Commission defines additional measures to control PPR and lists the restricted zones:
In Greece in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2132, last amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2501.
In Romania in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2119, last amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2523.
Further information
Greece: WAHIS Event 5759
Romania: WAHIS Event 5776
EU: Further category A diseases - European Commission (europa.eu) > Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus
Disease situation in Switzerland
Switzerland is free of classical swine fever. More information: Classical swine fever (CSF) (admin.ch) [in DE, FR and IT only]
Restricted zones currently exist in:
Romania
Protective measures when shipping from restricted zones apply to:
pigs, wild boar (all Suidae) and peccaries (Tayassuidae); as live animals or in the form of whole carcasses, their germinal products, all types of meat and animal by-products of these animals, from abattoirs or hunting (commercial and private).
Food products for private travellers:
The FSVO strongly recommends that private individuals refrain from bringing pork products with them when returning to Switzerland from areas affected by classical swine fever. The competent authorities in the affected countries issue instructions to food producers as to which products may and may not be shipped to other countries. However, private individuals who actually buy food there cannot see whether they are buying products that are only intended for consumption in the affected country. Despite precautionary measures, these products are nevertheless more likely to contain the disease pathogen. Multilingual information: Attention! Achtung! Attenzione! (admin.ch)
Wild boar:
Import, export and transit are generally prohibited - including from areas outside restricted zones.
Legal basis for control
In the event of an initial outbreak of classical swine fever, the EU Member States establish restricted zones around outbreaks in domestic pigs and infected zones around cases in wild boar. The corresponding legal basis is the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687. Annex VI specifies the prohibitions in the restricted zone, and Annex VII the risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin.
In the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/934, the EU Commission has specified additional measures for controlling classical swine fever and lists the restricted zones. These are continuously adapted to developments in the epidemiological situation, most recently by the following Amendment: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2158. (version: 17 June 2024)
More information
More information
Last modification 02.10.2024
