This Week in Healthcare — Brussels (#31, 2026)
Commission acts on animal disease controls; new rules for entry of animal-origin products from New Zealand; avian influenza zones established in Germany.
August 09, 2026 to August 15, 2026
Commission acts on animal disease controls; new rules for entry of animal-origin products from New Zealand; avian influenza zones established in Germany.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission introduces revised certification for imports of live animals and animal products from New Zealand
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1936 of 5 August 2026 establishes updated certification rules and a model health certificate for consignments of live animals and products of animal origin entering the Union from New Zealand. This Decision repeals Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1901, introduces new attestations around the use of antimicrobial medicinal products, and aligns requirements with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and Regulation (EU) 2016/429. The Decision outlines transitional arrangements, permitting the continued use of old certificates until 2 March 2027. It provides a harmonised health certificate model in accordance with updates to EU-New Zealand sanitary agreements and related legislation. The new Decision enters into force following its publication in the Official Journal.
EU alters protection measures following avian influenza outbreak in Germany
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1944 of 7 August 2026 amends the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 to include new protection and surveillance zones in Lower Saxony, Germany, after notification of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. The Decision is adopted pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which mandate strict disease prevention measures. These zones are set at a sufficient distance from the affected establishment, with coordinated disease control actions approved by the Commission. The provisions are effective immediately upon adoption.
What We're Reading This Week
- Extreme heat: Half of Europe's population exposed to temperatures exceeding 30C: Record-breaking heat leaves 50% of Europeans experiencing potentially dangerous temperatures above 30°C, raising health and infrastructure concerns.
