Situation status and timeline of FMD in Greece
On 17 March 2026, Greece notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of a confirmed case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on the island of Lesvos. Since the initial case, additional outbreaks have been detected on the island.
Greece’s FMD-free status was suspended by WOAH, effective from 15 March 2026.
The European Union’s protocols for managing FMD are very strict, and FMD restricted zones have been in place since 20 March 2026. These restrictions apply to the entire island of Lesvos.
How does this impact your imported animal products?
New Zealand is actively monitoring the FMD situation in Greece.
Like many countries, New Zealand uses 2 FMD incubation cycles as the tracing period in the event of an FMD outbreak. This is being applied to products imported from Greece.
All consignments of FMD risk products from Greece will be assessed as follows:
Animal products eligible for entry into NZ
A list of animal products eligible for entry into New Zealand using normal clearance processes:
- UHT dairy product
- extruded or canned/retorted pet food
- protein meal
- semi-processed leather and fully tanned hides and skins
- processed hides and skins (pickled or limed)
- scoured and/or dyed wool (for example, wool tops)
- a product (excluding game trophies) described under the import health standard Specified Animal Products (for example, gelatine, collagen, canned or retorted animal product).
Products with a slaughter, manufacturing, or production date
All other animal products will be assessed according to their slaughter, manufacturing, or production date. Products with a slaughter, manufacturing, or production date:
- Before 15 February 2026 are eligible for entry into New Zealand following normal clearance procedures.
- On or after 15 February 2026 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to risk. Only products that meet New Zealand’s import requirements will be eligible for clearance.
Importers are encouraged to consider the commercial risks before importing any animal products from Greece as the FMD situation is dynamic and evolving.
How does this impact re-export of imported animal products?
Importers should be aware that the export requirements for animal product imported from Greece for further manufacturing in New Zealand may have changed. For enquiries about imported product intended for onward export, email tradeandinternationalrelations@mpi.govt.nz
