L 243/92
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.9.2022
(21)
Following those outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, 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.
(22)
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.
(23)
Canada has submitted updated information on the epidemiological situation on its territory in relation to eighteen outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry establishments in the provinces of Alberta (9), British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1), Ontario (3), Quebec (2) and Saskatchewan (2), confirmed between 31 March 2022 and 23 April 2022.
(24)
Furthermore, the United Kingdom 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 on the Island of Whalsay, Shetland Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, which was confirmed on 30 May 2022.
(25)
Additionaly, the United States has submitted updated information on the epidemiological situation on its territory in relation to fourteen outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry establishments in the States of Minnesota (5), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2), North Dakota (2) and South Dakota (4), United States, confirmed between 8 March 2022 and 14 April 2022.
(26)
Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States 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, the United Kingdom and the United States have implemented a stamping out policy in order to control and limit the spread of that disease, and have also completed the requisite of cleaning and disinfection following the implementation of the stamping out policy on the infected poultry establishments on their territories.
(27)
The Commission has evaluated the information submitted by Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States 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, the United Kingdom and the United States from which the entry into the Union of poultry commodities was suspended due to those outbreaks.
(28)
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.
(29)
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.
(30)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,