Public health lists of countries that can export animal products to the EU – early 2026 update

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/187 of 28 January 2026 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 as regards the lists of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Update

On 28 January 2026, the lists of countries that have public health systems approved for the export of animals and animal products to the European Union (EU) were updated.

New authorisations

The countries below are now authorised to export the following specific animal products:

• Albania: products containing raw crustaceans imported from EU or approved countries
• Kyrgyz Republic: honey
• North Macedonia: casings
• Tunisia: shelf-stable composite products containing dairy ingredients; and products containing raw poultry imported from EU or approved countries
• Uganda: finfish and finfish products from aquaculture.

Discontinued authorisations

• Ukraine: farmed rabbit and marine gastropods.

Other amendments

“Meat preparations” is added to the list of farmed rabbit, wild Leporidae, and wild land mammal products that authorised countries can export to the EU.

Impacted Products

Aquaculture, composite products, casings, crustaceans, honey, finfish, farmed rabbits, live bivalve molluscs, marine gastropods, poultry, wild Leporidae, wild land mammals

What is changing?

The lists of countries authorised to export animal products to the EU have been updated.

Authorisation process

To export certain animal products to the EU, countries must have in place a residue control plan validated by the European Commission. Authorised countries are listed in Annex -I of Regulation 2021/405.

For some products, such as farmed rabbits, marine gastropods, and finfish, countries must also be authorised regarding food safety. Authorised countries are listed in Regulation 2021/405: Annex V for farmed rabbits, Annex VIII for marine gastropods, and Annex IX for finfish and their products.

New authorisations (Annex -I)

The countries below are now authorised to export the following specific animal products:

• Albania: products containing raw crustaceans imported from EU Member States or from approved non-EU countries, but not raw crustaceans produced in Albania
• Kyrgyz Republic: honey
• North Macedonia: casings
• Tunisia:
  • shelf-stable composite products containings eggs or dairy products from the EU or from non-EU countries listed for eggs and/or dairy
  • poultry imported from EU Member States or from approved non-EU countries, but not poultry produced in Tunisia
• Uganda: finfish and finfish products from aquaculture (Annexes -I and IX).

Discontinued authorisations for Ukraine

• Farmed rabbit: Ukraine has informed the European Commission that it no longer intends to export these products. It is delisted from both Annexes -I and V.
• Marine gastropods: Ukraine has not provided guarantees of compliance with the EU’s requirements. It is delisted from both Annexes -I and VIII.

Other amendments

• Addition of “meat preparations” of farmed rabbit, wild Leporidae, and wild land mammals to the list of products that can be exported to the EU. Authorised countries could already export fresh meat of farmed rabbit and/or wild Leporidae (Annex V), and of wild land mammals (Annex VI).
• Correction of Annex IX for Ukraine so that it covers both finfish and finfish products as in Annex -I.

Changes for non-EU countries not covered by the scope of the AGRINFO programme are not covered in this report.

Why?

The EU updates the list of non-EU countries authorised to export animal products once or twice a year. These countries must have food safety systems and residue controls (for pesticides, contaminants, and veterinary medicines) that are as strict as those in the EU. For changes made in February 2025, see Countries authorised to export animals and animal products to the EU: public health list 2025 update.

To remain on the list of countries with authorised residue plans, non-EU countries must send their updated residue control plan for each animal product category every year by 31 March.

Timeline

The Regulation applies from 18 February 2026.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

When the new Regulation applies:

• Albania will be able to use raw crustaceans imported from EU Member States or approved countries in products exported to the EU
• Kyrgyz Republic will be able to export honey to the EU
• North Macedonia will be able to export casings
• Tunisia will be able to use dairy and egg products imported from EU Member States or approved countries in shelf-stable composite products for export to the EU; it will also be able to use raw poultry from EU Member States or approved countries in products to be exported to the EU when it has approved establishments listed (see Approval of third country establishments explained)
• Uganda will be able to export finfish and finfish products from aquaculture.

Recommended Actions

Competent authorities

For competent authorities of countries exporting food-producing animals and products of animal origin to the EU:

If already listed

• Ensure compliance is maintained for public health (Regulation 2021/405, Annexes I to XVI), residues (Regulation 2021/405, Annex -I), and animal health when relevant (Regulation 2021/404).
• In particular for the list dealing with residues, produce an updated control plan by 31 March of each year.

The EU regularly audits partner countries and EU Member States. The work programme and reports are published on the Health and Food Audits and Analysis webpage (see 2026 food audit programme: non-EU countries targeted for controls).

If delisted or not yet listed

• Start the procedure for recognition of the country’s public health requirements as soon as possible.

Competent authorities of partner countries may raise questions to SANTE-CONSULT-A5@ec.europa.eu or, if specifically about residues, to sante-tcresidueplans@ec.europa.eu.

Exporters

For operators in non-EU countries wishing to export food-producing animals and products of animal origin to the EU:

• inform the competent authority of your interest
• stay in regular contact with the competent authority to support the process
• follow the procedure to be included in the list of approved establishments (see Approval of third country establishments explained).

Background

The EU has stringent rules on the public health requirements for products of animal origin entering the European Union.

The Official Controls Regulation 2017/625 lays down the framework for the official controls that competent authorities have to perform at any stage of production, processing, and distribution.

Delegated Regulation 2022/2292 supplements the Official Controls Regulation regarding the public health requirements for exports to the EU. Countries wishing to export animal products to the EU must comply with the EU public health requirements.

Non-EU exporting countries must be authorised in Implementing Regulation 2021/405 for each commodity to be exported to the EU (Annex -I for control plans; other Annexes for food safety where relevant).

Exporting countries must also comply with the animal health requirements, and for most animal products they must be listed in Implementing Regulation 2021/404.

From 3 September 2026, non-EU countries will also need to be listed regarding their compliance with rules on antimicrobials: see List of non-EU countries compliant with new EU antimicrobial requirements.

Resources

Sources