EN
21.7.2023
Official Journal of the European Union
L 184/77
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2023/1521 of 19 July 2023 concerning certain special disease control measures for a limited period of time relating to infection with lumpy skin disease virus in certain Member States (notified under document C(2023) 4811) (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), point (a), thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Infection with lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus, caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), is a vector-borne disease of bovine animals that causes substantial economic losses, reduces milk yield, causes severe emaciation, permanent damage to hides, several secondary complications, months-long chronic debility, and incurs trade bans.
The disease is endemic in Africa and is included in the World Organisation for Animal Health list of notifiable diseases.
(2)
LSD occurred in the Union for the first time in 2015 in Greece.
In 2016, the disease quickly spread in many countries of South East Europe including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo *, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
In all affected countries the disease was placed effectively under control through mass vaccination of bovine animals, with live homologous vaccines, repeated on an annual basis, in accordance with vaccines’ specifications.
In addition, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that were not affected by LSD, implemented vaccination as a preventive measure, in view of disease occurrence in neighbouring countries.
(3)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1070 (2) was adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and it lays down special control measures against LSD for a limited period of time.
That Implementing Regulation applied until 21 April 2023.
(4)
More particularly, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1070, defines the zones of a Member State, where vaccination against LSD is carried out, and the special disease control rules within each zone.
These zones are classified as restricted zone I, located outside an area where an outbreak of infection with LSDV has been confirmed, and restricted zone II, which includes an area where an outbreak of infection with LSDV has been confirmed.
(5)
Furthermore, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1070, provided for restrictions regarding the movements of bovine animals and products thereof, germinal products, and animal by-products from restricted zone I and II, and derogations in relation to these restrictions.
In addition, it provided rules for the operators’ obligations with regard to animal health certificates for movements of bovine animals, germinal products and unprocessed animal by-products thereof, from restricted zones I and II, outside these zones.
(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p.
1. * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1070 of 28 June 2021 laying down special control measures for a limited period of time related to infection with lumpy skin disease virus (OJ L 230, 30.6.2021, p. 10).