http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eudn/2017/1397

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1397

of 27 July 2017

amending the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 on protective measures in relation to outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States

(notified under document C(2017) 5369)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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

Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market1, and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market2, and in particular Article 10(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2473 was adopted following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5 in a number of Member States (‘the concerned Member States’), and the establishment of protection and surveillance zones by the competent authority of the concerned Member States in accordance with Council Directive 2005/94/EC4.

(2)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 provides that the protection and surveillance zones established by the competent authorities of the concerned Member States in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC are to comprise at least the areas listed as protection and surveillance zones in the Annex to that Implementing Decision. Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 also lays down that the measures to be applied in the protection and surveillance zones, as provided for in Article 29(1) and Article 31 of Directive 2005/94/EC, are to be maintained until at least the dates for those zones set out in the Annex to that Implementing Decision.

(3)

The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 was subsequently amended by Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2017/4175, (EU) 2017/5546, (EU) 2017/6967, (EU) 2017/7808, (EU) 2017/8199, (EU) 2017/97710, (EU) 2017/113911 and (EU) 2017/124012 in order to take account of changes to the protection and surveillance zones established by the competent authorities of the Member States in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC, following further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5 in the Union. In addition, Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 was amended by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/696 in order to lay down rules regarding the dispatch of consignments of day-old chicks from the areas listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247, following certain improvements in the epidemiological situation as regards that virus in the Union.

(4)

The overall disease situation in the Union has been steadily improving. Since the date of the last amendment made to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1240, only Italy has detected new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N8 in poultry holdings, namely in the region of Lombardia of that Member State. Italy has also notified the Commission that it has taken the necessary measures required in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the infected poultry holdings.

(5)

The Commission has examined the measures taken by Italy in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC, following the recent outbreaks of avian influenza of subtype H5N8 in that Member State, and it has satisfied itself that the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones, established by the competent authority of Italy, are at a sufficient distance to any holding where an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N8 has been confirmed.

(6)

In order to prevent any unnecessary disturbance to trade within the Union, and to avoid unjustified barriers to trade being imposed by third countries, it is necessary to rapidly describe at Union level, in collaboration with Italy, the protection and surveillance zones established in Italy, in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC, following the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N8 in that Member State. Therefore, the entries for Italy in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 should be updated to take account of the current epidemiological situation in that Member State as regards that disease.

(7)

The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 should therefore be amended to update regionalisation at Union level to include the protection and surveillance zones established by Italy, in accordance with Directive 2005/94/EC and the duration of the restrictions applicable therein.

(8)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/247 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(9)

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: