The Albanian National Food Authority (AKU) announced today that it has ramped up monitoring and enforcement measures along the country’s green borders to prevent the import of small ruminants from countries affected by an outbreak of small ruminant plague (Peste des Petits Ruminants – PPR).
In coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, led by Minister Anila Denaj, the AKU confirmed that a temporary nationwide ban has been put in place on both the movement and trade of small ruminants—such as sheep and goats—within the territory of Albania. This preventive step follows reports of the disease affecting certain farms inside the country.
In a public statement, the AKU stated it is actively inspecting all border inspection points (PIKs) and has entered a full state of readiness in collaboration with the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Agency, the General Directorate of Customs, and Border Police.
"The movement of small ruminants is allowed only when the destination is a licensed slaughterhouse and the animals are accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate issued by an authorized veterinarian," the statement added.
The ban and accompanying measures aim to contain and prevent the further spread of PPR, a highly contagious viral disease that affects sheep and goats and can cause significant economic damage to livestock farmers.
Authorities urge all livestock owners, traders, and transporters to comply with the new regulations and to report any signs of illness among their herds. The AKU assured the public that these are temporary, precautionary actions based on veterinary risk assessments and international standards for disease containment.