L 185/118
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.7.2022
(7)
Following those outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the veterinary authorities of Canada 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.
(8)
Canada 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 consignments 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 and the United States due to the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza should no longer be authorised.
(9)
In addition, Canada has submitted updated information on the epidemiological situation on its territory in relation to one outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a poultry establishment in the province of Nova Scotia, confirmed on 1 February 2022.
Canada has also submitted information on the measures it has taken to prevent the further spread of that disease.
In particular, following this outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Canada has implemented a stamping out policy in order to control and limit the spread of that disease.
Canada has also completed the requisite cleaning and disinfection measures following the implementation of the stamping out policy on the infected poultry establishments on its territory.
(10)
Furthermore, the United Kingdom has submitted updated information on the epidemiological situation on its territory in relation to six outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry establishments: one outbreak near Ross-on-Wye, Hereford and South Herefordshire, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 20 January 2022; one outbreak near Ashleworth, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 28 January 2022; one outbreak near Holy Island, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 9 February 2022; one outbreak near Ledbury, North Herefordshire, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 25 February 2022; one outbreak near Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom which was confirmed on 18 March 2022; and one outbreak near Strichen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 19 March 2022.
(11)
Canada and the United Kingdom have also submitted information on the measures they have taken to prevent the further spread of that disease.
In particular, following these outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Canada and the United Kingdom have implemented a stamping out policy in order to control and limit the spread of that disease, and have also completed the requisite cleaning and disinfection measures following the implementation of the stamping out policy on the infected poultry establishments on their territories.
(12)
The Commission has evaluated the information submitted by Canada and the United Kingdom and concluded that the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks 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 Canada and the United Kingdom from which the entry into the Union of poultry commodities was suspended due to those outbreaks.
(13)
Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should be therefore amended to take account of the current epidemiological situation as regards highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
(14)
Taking into account the current epidemiological situation in Canada 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.