Hungary is officially free of bovine brucellosis
Bovine brucellosis is classified by the European Union as a category B disease, for which all Member States are required to implement a vaccination programme. National vaccination programmes for bovine brucellosis already existed in Hungary, which created a favourable animal health situation for obtaining the current EU vaccination programme.
The Hungarian veterinary authority submitted an application to the European Commission for approval of a three-year exemption plan aligned with EU regulations, which the Commission adopted in February 2022. It was not possible to apply for the exemption directly, as the exemption of the herds could not be proven without the full implementation of the control tests required by EU legislation.
As a result of the successful domestic eradication program implemented over the past three years, the entire territory of Hungary has been officially granted free status for Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis in cattle herds, based on Implementing Regulation 2026/293, which entered into force in February 2026.
Achieving exemption provides significant benefits for Hungary. The number of annual monitoring inspections will be reduced, and a preliminary brucellosis blood test will not be required for domestic and intra-EU cattle shipments. Furthermore, many third countries will be able to set more relaxed export requirements. As a result, international trade will become simpler, which is in the common interest of all actors in the cattle sector.
Preventing the introduction of the disease and consistently complying with disease control and animal health regulations remain of paramount importance. Only by taking joint responsibility can Hungary maintain its long-term freedom from bovine brucellosis.
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