Romania is preparing to resume sheep exports to Libya, with the assessment of animal health conditions now moving to on-site inspections. An official Libyan delegation is undertaking a working visit from 5 to 10 October 2026 to assess the technical and animal health requirements for resuming trade in live animals, according to ANSVSA’s announcement of 5 October.

What the Libyan delegation will inspect

The programme includes visits to farms, collection centres and slaughterhouses handling sheep, cattle and poultry, as well as the Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health (IDSA). Romanian specialists will present biosecurity measures, animal traceability systems, and the capacity to diagnose disease and monitor herd and flock health.

Discussions focus on the management of the epidemiological situation and the animal health guarantees provided to Libyan partners. According to ANSVSA, the inspections are intended to prepare for the resumption of shipments once the immunisation stages set out in the Action Plan have been completed.

From animal health assessments to contracts for livestock purchases

The Libyan side has expressed its willingness to resume trade once the measures outlined in the plan have been implemented. A subsequent visit is expected from representatives of the Libyan business community interested in arranging livestock purchases. The announcement therefore marks a preparatory stage and does not yet confirm that exports have resumed.

The market’s commercial importance is illustrated by the figures cited by ANSVSA: in 2024, Romania exported live sheep worth US$14.3 million to Libya, according to OEC/COMTRADE. Trade relations had resumed in spring 2023 following the negotiation of new veterinary health certificates, after trade had been suspended from 2011 until spring 2023.