9 October 2026: Outbreak of sheep pox goat pox in Albania
Updated 28 October 2026
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OVS note 2026/49
Date: 9 October 2026
Purpose
To notify that Albania has confirmed an outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox (SPGP) and clarify the implications for imports of untreated wool and hair from Albania.
Background
Albania notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 23 September 2026 of an outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox (SPGP) in a mixed herd of sheep and goats through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). As a result, Albania has lost its SPGP-free status.
Imports of untreated wool and hair are permitted from any third country (see Row 8 of Table 2). However, imports from Albania of untreated wool and hair of ovine and caprine animals have been suspended since June 2025 under safeguard measures introduced following an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Albania (see OVS note 2025/41).
Albania is not approved for export any other ovine or caprine commodities that pose a risk of introducing SPGP. Accordingly, the UK Office for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Trade Assurance has determined that there is no need to introduce additional import restrictions in response to Albania’s SPGP outbreak.
Therefore, until Albania regains SPGP-free status, untreated ovine and caprine wool and hair imported under the alternative conditions in Article 25(2)(e) of Regulation 142/2011 (also listed in Row 8 of Table 2) are not eligible for import into Great Britain. Authorities at ports and border control posts should note that, if the existing PPR-related restrictions on untreated ovine and caprine wool and hair are lifted, Albania’s SPGP status would still continue to determine the import conditions for these commodities.
In these circumstances, consignments of untreated ovine and caprine wool and hair from Albania would be permitted only if they were:
- securely enclosed in packaging; and
- sent directly, under conditions that prevent the spread of pathogens, to a plant that
produces derived products for use outside the feed chain or carries out intermediate
operations.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team