#BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 93Announcement of the Restatement of the Animal Health Act of 27 March 2026
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The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs published a consolidated restatement (Neufassung) of Germany's Animal Health Act (Tiergesundheitsgesetz) in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 93) on 1 April 2026. A Neufassung is an official republication that integrates all prior amendments into a single authoritative text, replacing the previously fragmented version without introducing new substantive law. The Animal Health Act governs the prevention, detection, and control of animal diseases and epizootics across Germany. It sets out notification obligations for animal keepers, veterinarians, and laboratories, defines the powers of federal and state veterinary authorities to impose movement restrictions, culling orders, and quarantine measures, and establishes liability and compensation frameworks for affected livestock owners. This restatement reflects amendments accumulated since the last consolidated version and aligns the text with EU animal health regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law). The republication ensures legal clarity and provides a single, up-to-date reference text for all stakeholders in the agricultural and veterinary sectors. The document was signed on 27 March 2026 and published on 1 April 2026 under file reference number (FNA) 7831-14, subject area Tierseuchenbekämpfung (animal disease control).
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Key Changes
- Official consolidated restatement (Neufassung) of the Animal Health Act published in BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 93, effective from 1 April 2026 — replaces all prior fragmented versions
- All legislative amendments to the Tiergesundheitsgesetz enacted since the last consolidation are now integrated into a single authoritative text
- Alignment with EU Regulation 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) formally reflected in the updated consolidated text
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Obligations
What this law requires
Animal keepers must notify competent veterinary authorities of suspected or confirmed animal diseases in their herds
Veterinarians must report detected or suspected animal diseases to relevant veterinary authorities
Laboratories must notify veterinary authorities of confirmed animal disease diagnoses
Animal keepers must comply with movement restrictions imposed by federal and state veterinary authorities on affected livestock
Animal keepers must comply with quarantine measures ordered by veterinary authorities during disease outbreaks