Animals play a vital role in the life of every country, from shaping rural landscapes to providing food. Ensuring their health and welfare is therefore crucial. In recent years, Europe has witnessed a troubling rise in outbreaks of animal diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, Bluetongue, and Lumpy Skin Disease, even in areas that were previously considered low-risk. These outbreaks pose serious threats not only to animal health but also to the livelihoods of farmers, the stability of rural communities, and the security of the European Union’s food supply. The economic, environmental, and social consequences can be devastating. 

The "Knowledge for Reform Action in the Western Balkans" project, funded by the Kingdom of Norway and implemented by UNOPS, has supported the Montenegrin Government in drafting the new Animal Health Law. The legislation is aligned with the Regulation (EU) 2016/429, as well as the new Official Control Law aligned with the Regulation (EU) 2017/625, together with relevant legal acts, and it will be submitted by the Government to the European Commission for assessment by November 2025. The new Animal Health Law promotes the approach “prevention is better than cure” through better early detection and control of animal diseases, including emerging diseases linked to climate change. 

The Animal Health Law, also introduces the requirement for operators to make sure that establishments receive regular animal health visits from a veterinarian in order to strengthen animal health by improving disease prevention, in particular biosecurity and detection of disease.

The Law harmonised measures for prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals and humans, and it applies to animals, germinal products, and products of animal origin kept at farms or other establishments, in addition to wild animals. It also lays down rules regarding the movement of animals and their products, whether within the Union or into the Union from abroad, aimed at protecting the animal health status of animals in the Union.

The Animal Health Law impacts operators, animal professionals and pet keepers and also applies to veterinarians and countries’ competent authorities. The law strengthens health and safety by updating rules for the prevention and control of transmissible diseases. Any disease outbreak, whether among animals or those that spread to humans, can have a significant impact on society, disrupt food supplies, and increase costs across the agri-food sector, among farmers, industry, the public sector, and even beyond. Therefore, the Animal Health Law puts an emphasis on disease prevention, including biosecurity, surveillance, and traceability, to mini- mise the risks of animal diseases affecting society.