The European Commission has published an evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, the Animal Health Law (AHL), concluding that it has largely achieved its main objectives but that implementation remains uneven across Member States. The report, adopted on 6 July 2026, covers the period until 31 December 2023 with updates to early 2026, and assesses the law that replaced 39 separate legal acts with a single, risk-based framework for transmissible animal diseases.
The AHL, adopted in 2016 and applied from 21 April 2021, introduced a structured disease categorisation system (categories A to E), enhanced biosecurity requirements, clearer responsibilities for animal keepers and veterinarians, wider use of vaccination, and upgraded digital tools such as TRACES and the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS). The evaluation finds that these elements have created a strong foundation for EU animal health policy, with positive examples including preventive vaccination campaigns against highly pathogenic avian influenza in France (2024), bluetongue virus in several Member States, lumpy skin disease in Italy, France and Spain (2025-2026), and foot and mouth disease in Hungary (2025) and Cyprus (2026).
However, the report identifies significant implementation challenges. By June 2023, only 10 Member States had adopted penalty rules as required. Differences in administrative capacity, governance structures and resources have led to uneven application across the EU, with smaller operators particularly burdened by the complexity of the new rules. The Commission notes that while long-term cost-benefit is expected to be positive, upfront costs have been substantial and benefits are unevenly distributed.
The evaluation is addressed to the Council and the European Parliament, and its findings are expected to inform discussions on possible adjustments to the AHL or its implementing acts. The Commission emphasises that full realisation of the law's benefits depends on completing national alignment and addressing disparities in implementation capacity among Member States.
For EU livestock farmers and animal keepers, the AHL has increased compliance costs and administrative burden, particularly for smaller operations, but offers clearer disease prevention and control rules that can reduce outbreak risks. National veterinary authorities face pressure to upgrade digital systems and align penalty regimes, with only a minority having done so. The wider EU agri-food sector benefits from harmonised trade conditions and reduced disease-related disruptions, though uneven implementation may create competitive imbalances. EU consumers and taxpayers gain from improved animal health and food safety, but the uneven distribution of benefits means some regions see greater protection than others.
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