Date: 2026-03-27Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/134 of 20 January 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 as regards rules for surveillance and disease-free status from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis
Issued by European Commission
· Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
**Executive Summary**
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/134 amends Regulation (EU) 2020/689 to establish detailed rules for surveillance and disease-free status regarding *Echinococcus multilocularis* infestation. It integrates effective control measures from previous legislation into the current Animal Health Law framework to prevent the parasite's spread through pet movements. The regulation enters into force on 28 March 2026 and applies from 22 April 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Approved Diagnostic Methods**
* Surveillance must utilize the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT) for detecting parasites in intestinal contents.
* Alternatively, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods or techniques of equivalent sensitivity may be used to detect species-specific DNA in tissue, eggs, or faeces.
**Wild Host Surveillance Requirements**
* Authorities must define target wild definitive host Canidae populations by density, age structure, gender, and geographical distribution.
* Surveillance must consist of ongoing sample collection and testing during every 12-month period.
* The sampling design must be risk-based or representative, capable of detecting the parasite at a prevalence of 1% or less with at least 95% confidence.
**Criteria for Granting Disease-Free Status**
* **Absence of Hosts:** Status may be granted if a Member State has demonstrated the absence of red foxes for the past three consecutive 12-month periods.
* **Historical Freedom:** Status may be granted if no cases have been confirmed in wild Canidae for the past 25 years, provided specific surveillance conditions were met for at least the last 10 years.
* **Active Surveillance:** Status is available if an annual surveillance programme has demonstrated the absence of infestation in wild Canidae for the past three consecutive 12-month periods.
**Maintenance of Disease-Free Status**
* Where freedom is based on the absence of red foxes, authorities must maintain annual surveillance to detect their presence and notify the Commission immediately if any are found.
* Where wild Canidae are present, authorities must maintain annual surveillance that demonstrates continued absence and enables early detection of the parasite.
**Impact Analysis**
**Member State Competent Authorities**
**Impact**
Authorities are responsible for transitioning from the expiring transitional rules of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 to the new requirements for surveillance and maintenance of disease-free status.
**Action Required**
They must implement 12-month surveillance cycles, ensure diagnostic techniques meet SCT or PCR standards, and provide detailed population descriptions of wild Canidae to the Commission.
**Member States with Existing Disease-Free Status**
**Impact**
Member States or zones already recognized as free from *Echinococcus multilocularis* under Regulation (EU) 2018/878 are protected during this legislative transition.
**Action Required**
These states are deemed to have approved status under the new regulation but must align their ongoing maintenance surveillance with the updated Annex V requirements by 22 April 2026.
**European Commission**
**Impact**
The Commission maintains oversight of the disease-free status of Member States and must ensure the legal framework is consistent as transitional periods expire.
**Action Required**
The Commission must receive and review notifications regarding the detection of red foxes in previously fox-free zones and monitor compliance with the updated surveillance standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689: The primary regulation being amended that establishes EU-wide rules for disease surveillance, eradication programs, and the maintenance of disease-free status.
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law): The foundational EU legislative framework for the prevention and control of transmissible animal diseases, providing the legal basis for this regulation.
European Commission: The primary regulatory body responsible for adopting this regulation to manage animal health standards and disease-free statuses across the Union.
Regulation (EU) No 576/2013: Governs the non-commercial movement of pet animals; its specific rules for controlling Echinococcus multilocularis are being integrated into the updated regulatory framework.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772: Supplements rules on preventive health measures for the control of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in dogs, providing the basis for updated surveillance criteria.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/134 27.3.2026
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION(EU) 2026/134
of 20 January 2026
amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 as regards rules for surveillance and disease-free
status from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on
transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health
Law’)(1), and in particular Article 29, Article 39, Article 41(3) and Article 42(6) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible
to animals or humans, including rules for surveillance, Union surveillance programmes, approval of disease-free
status by the Commission and for the maintenance of disease-free status.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689(2)supplements the rules on surveillance, eradication programmes
and disease-free status for certain listed diseases and emerging diseases of terrestrial, aquatic and other animals laid
down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429.
(3) Infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis is listed in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation
(EU) 2018/1882(3)as a disease of relevance to some Member States and for which measures are needed to prevent it
from spreading to parts of the Union that are officially disease-free or that have eradication programmes for the
disease concerned.
(4) Union rules for the control of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs had been laid down in Regulation
(EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(4) and Commission Delegated Regulation
(EU) 2018/772(5).
(5) Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 was repealed by Article 270(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as from 21 April 2021.
However, Article 277 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 provides that notwithstanding that repeal, Regulation (EU)
No 576/2013 is to continue to apply until 21 April 2026 in respect of non-commercial movements of pet animals,
in place of Part VI of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.
(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European
Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for surveillance, eradication programmes, and disease-free status for certain listed and
emerging diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 211, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/689/oj).
(3) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of 3 December 2018 on the application of certain disease prevention and
control rules to categories of listed diseases and establishing a list of species and groups of species posing a considerable risk for the
spread of those listed diseases (OJ L 308, 4.12.2018, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/1882/oj).
(4) Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of
pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/576/oj).
(5) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772 of 21 November 2017 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the
European Parliament and of the Council with regard to preventive health measures for the control of Echinococcus multilocularis
infection in dogs, and repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 (OJ L 130, 28.5.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/
reg_del/2018/772/oj).
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OJ L, 27.3.2026
(6) The rules on surveillance, including diagnostic methods, the disease specific requirements for disease-free status and
the specific criteria for maintenance of disease-free status for Echinococcus multilocularislaid down in Regulation (EU)
No 576/2013 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772 have proven to be effective in controlling infestation with
Echinococcus multilocularis. Accordingly, the main provisions of those rules should be maintained in Delegated
Regulation (EU) 2020/689, as amended by this Regulation but updated to take account of the practical experience
acquired through the application of those Regulations. Therefore, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 should be
amended to provide detailed rules on surveillance, including diagnostic methods, the disease specific requirements
for disease-free status and the specific criteria for maintenance of disease-free status for Echinococcus multilocularis.
(7) As certain Member States have been recognised officially free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis and
have been listed accordingly in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/878(6), it should also be ensured
that the Member States and zones thereof with an approved disease-free status before the date of application of
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 are deemed to have an approved disease-free status in accordance with that
Regulation.
(8) As the transitional period related to the repeal of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 is to cease to apply after 21 April
2026 and in order to prevent infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis from spreading to parts of the Union that
are officially disease-free, this Regulation should enter into force as a matter of urgency and apply from 22 April
2026,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 6(2), the following point (fa) is inserted after point (f):
‘(fa) Section 7 of Annex III for infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis;’;
(2) in Article 72, the following point (ja) is inserted after point (j):
‘(ja) Section 2 of Part V of Annex V for status free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis;’;
(3) in Article 81(3), the following point (ja) is inserted after point (j):
‘(ja) Section 3 of Part V of Annex V for status free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis;’;
(4) in Article 84(1), the following point (n) is added:
‘(n) free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis,when Echinococcus multilocularis-free status was granted in
accordance with Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(*).
_____________
(*) Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-
commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) N0 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1,
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/576/oj).’;
(5) Annexes III and V to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 are amended in accordance with the Annex to this
Regulation.
(6) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/878 of 18 June 2018 adopting the list of Member States, or parts of the territory of
Member States, that comply with the rules for categorisation laid down in Article 2(2) and (3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772
concerning the application of preventive health measures for the control of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in dogs (OJ L 155,
19.6.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/878/oj).
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OJ L, 27.3.2026
Article 2
Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 22 April 2026.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 20 January 2026.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
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OJ L, 27.3.2026
ANNEX
Annexes III and V to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 are amended as follows:
(1) in Annex III, the following Section 7 is added:
‘Section 7
Infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis
1. Sedimentation and counting technique (SCT), or a technique of equivalent sensitivity and specificity, for the
detection of the Echinococcus multilocularisparasite on intestinal contents.
2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, or a technique of equivalent sensitivity and specificity, for the
detection of species-specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from tissue or eggs of the Echinococcus multilocularis
parasite on intestinal contents or faeces.’;
(2) in Annex V, the following Part V is added:
‘PART V
INFESTATION WITH ECHINOCOCCUS MULTILOCULARIS
Section 1
Surveillance to demonstrate the absence of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis
in the wild definitive host population
The surveillance to demonstrate the absence of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularisin the wild definitive host
population must:
1. describe the target wild definitive host Canidae population and include the density, age structure, geographical
and gender distribution, taking into account the relative risks of infestation with the Echinococcus multilocularis
in different species and subpopulations of the target wild definitive host Canidae population;
2. consist in the ongoing collection, during each 12-month surveillance period, of samples from wild definitive
host Canidae tested negative with one of the methods referred to in Section 7 of Annex III;
3. be designed to allow, on an appropriate risk-based or representative sample of wild definitive host Canidae, the
detection of the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite, if present in any epidemiologically relevant geographical
unit in the Member State or zone thereof in the wild definitive host population at a prevalence of not more
than 1 % at a confidence level of at least 95 %.
Section 2
Granting of the status to a Member State or zone as free from infestation with
Echinococcus multilocularis
The status free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis may only be granted to a Member State or a zone
thereof if:
1. for the past three consecutive 12-month periods, the Member State has implemented an annual surveillance,
which has demonstrated that, in accordance with Article 67, the infestation with Echinococcus multilocularishas
not been established because of the absence of red foxes, as wild definitive host animals, in its entire territory;
2. in the presence of wild definitive host Canidae populations and provided that there has been no confirmed case
of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularisin those animals, one of the following requirements is fulfilled:
(a) there has been no confirmed case of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis in wild definitive host
Canidae during the past 25 years in accordance with Article 70(1), point (a) and for the past 10 years,
the requirements set out in Article 70(2), points (b) and (d) have been met;
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OJ L, 27.3.2026
(b) for the past three consecutive 12-month periods, an annual surveillance programme, which complies
with the requirements set out in Section 1, has demonstrated the absence of infestation with Echinococcus
multilocularisin wild definitive host Canidae.
Section 3
Maintenance of the status of a Member State or zone free from infestation with
Echinococcus multilocularis
The status free from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularisgranted to a Member State or a zone thereof may only
be maintained if:
1. for a Member State or zone thereof which has been granted a status free from infestation with Echinococcus
multilocularisin accordance with point 1 of Section 2, the competent authority:
(a) maintains an annual surveillance to detect the presence of wild red foxes on its territory;
(b) immediately notifies the Commission and the other Member States of the detection of the presence of
wild red foxes;
2. for a Member State or zone thereof which has been granted a status free from infestation with Echinococcus
multilocularis in accordance with point 2 of Section 2, the competent authority maintains an annual
surveillance that:
(a) demonstrates the absence of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularisin wild definitive host Canidae in
accordance with the requirements set out in Section 1;
(b) enables the early detection of infestation with Echinococcus multilocularisin wild definitive host Canidae.’.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/134/oj 5/5