27.4.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 124/3
(17)
Moreover, the United States notified the Commission of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry.
The outbreaks are located in Blue Earth and Meeker counties, state of Minnesota, United States, and were confirmed on 14 April 2022 by laboratory analysis (RT-PCR).
(18)
The veterinary authorities of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States established a 10 km control zone around the affected establishments and implemented a stamping-out policy in order to control the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza and limit the spread of that disease.
(19)
Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have submitted information to the Commission on the epidemiological situation on their territory and the measures they have taken to prevent the further spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
That information has been evaluated by the Commission.
On the basis of that evaluation and in order to protect the animal health status of the Union, the entry into the Union of consigments of poultry, germinal products of poultry, and fresh meat from poultry and game birds from the areas under restrictions established by the veterinary authorities of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States due to the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza should no longer be authorised.
(20)
Moreover, the United Kingdom has submitted updated information on the epidemiological situation on its territory in relation to outbreaks of HPAI confirmed in poultry establishments on 25 November 2021 near Barrow upon Soar, Charnwood, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, on 30 November 2021 near Barrow upon Soar, Charnwood, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, on 2 December 2021, near Leominster, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, on 5 December 2021, near Newent, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, on 6 and 7 December 2021, near Barrow upon Soar, Charnwood, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, on 10 December 2021, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway, England, United Kingdom and on 14 December 2021, near Middleton in Teesdale, County Durham, Durham, England, United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom has also submitted the measures it has taken to prevent the further spread of that disease.
In particular, following this outbreak of HPAI, the United Kingdom has implemented a stamping out policy in order to control and limit the spread of that disease.
In addition, the United Kingdom completed the requisite cleaning and disinfection measures following the implementation of the stamping out policy on the infected poultry establishments on its territory.
(21)
The Commission has evaluated the information submitted by the United Kingdom and concluded that the HPAI outbreaks near Barrow upon Soar, Charnwood, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, near Leominster, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, near Newent, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, near Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Dumfries and Galloway, England, United Kingdom and near Middleton in Teesdale, County Durham, Durham, England, United Kingdom, in poultry establishments have been cleared and that there is no longer any risk associated with the entry into the Union of poultry commodities from the zones of the United Kingdom from which the entry into the Union of poultry commodities have been suspended due to these outbreaks.
(22)
Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should be therefore amended accordingly.
(23)
Taking into account the current epidemiological situation in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States as regards highly pathogenic avian influenza and the serious risk of its introduction into the Union, the amendments to be made to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 by this Regulation should take effect as a matter of urgency.
(24)
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 Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.