COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/623

of 15 April 2021

amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 laying down special control measures for African swine fever

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (1), and in particular Article 71(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) African swine fever is an infectious viral disease affecting kept and wild porcine animals and can have a severe impact on the concerned animal population and the profitability of farming causing disturbance to movements of consignments of those animals and products thereof within the Union and exports to third countries.

(2) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes a new legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases, which are transmissible to animals or humans. African swine fever falls within the definition of a listed disease in that Regulation, and it is subject to the disease prevention and control rules laid down therein.

(3) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 (2) was adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and it lays down special disease control measures regarding African swine fever to be applied for a limited period of time by the Member States listed in that Annex I thereto, in the restricted zones listed in that Annex. However, the areas listed as restricted zones I, II and III in Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 are based on the epidemiological situation of African swine fever in the Union at the time leading up to the process of adoption of that act. Both Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 apply from 21 April 2021.

(4) The epidemiological situation in the Union as regards African swine fever is dynamic and constantly evolving. As a result, the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards that disease has changed since the time leading up to the process of adoption of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605. Accordingly, Annex I to that Implementing Regulation should be amended so that the areas listed as restricted zones I, II and III therein reflect the current epidemiological situation of that disease in the Union.

(5) In addition, Commission Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU (3) lays down animal health control measures in relation to African swine fever in the Member States or areas thereof listed in the Annex thereto, and it applies until 21 April 2021. The Annex to that Implementing Decision was last amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/544 (4), following recent changes in the epidemiological situation as regards that disease in the Union. Accordingly, the current epidemiological situation of African swine fever in the Union is reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU, as recently amended by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/544.

(6) Therefore, restricted zones I, II and III listed in the Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 should be updated to take account of the areas currently listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU, as recently amended by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/544. This is also necessary for continuity and consistency following the expiry of Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU, and the commencement of application of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605.

(7) Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 should therefore be amended in order to take account of the current epidemiological situation of African swine fever in the Union and in order to combat the risks associated with the spread of that disease in a proactive manner by ensuring a smooth transition to the new legislative framework applicable from 21 April 2021.

(8) Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards the spread of African swine fever and taking into account the fact that Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 applies from 21 April 2021, the amendments to be made to Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 by this Regulation should also apply from that date.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from 21 April 2021.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 15 April 2021. For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN

(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1.

(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 of 7 April 2021 laying down special control measures for African swine fever (OJ L 129, …, p. 1).

(3) Commission Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU of 9 October 2014 concerning animal health control measures relating to African swine fever in certain Member States and repealing Implementing Decision 2014/178/EU (OJ L 295, 11.10.2014, p. 63).

(4) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/544 of 25 March 2021 amending the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU concerning animal health control measures relating to African swine fever in certain Member States (OJ L 110, 30.3.2021, p. 1).