http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eudn/2018/1008

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1008

of 16 July 2018

amending the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU concerning animal health control measures relating to African swine fever in certain Member States

(notified under document C(2018) 4771)

(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,

Having regard to Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption3, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Commission Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU4 lays down animal health control measures in relation to African swine fever in certain Member States, where there have been confirmed cases of that disease in domestic or feral pigs (the Member States concerned). The Annex to that Implementing Decision demarcates and lists certain areas of the Member States concerned in Parts I to IV thereof, differentiated by the level of risk based on the epidemiological situation as regards that disease. The Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU has been amended several times to take account of changes in the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards African swine fever that need to be reflected in that Annex. The Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU was last amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/9715, following outbreaks of African swine fever in domestic pigs in the counties of Tulcea, Braila and Constanta in Romania in June and July 2018.

(2)

The risk of the spread of African swine fever in wildlife is linked to the natural slow spread of that disease among feral pig populations, and also the risks linked to human activity, as demonstrated by the recent epidemiological evolution of that disease in the Union, and as documented by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare, published on 14 July 2015; in the Scientific Report of EFSA on Epidemiological analyses on African swine fever in the Baltic countries and Poland, published on 23 March 2017; and in the Scientific Report of EFSA on Epidemiological analyses of African swine fever in the Baltic States and Poland, published on 7 November 20176.

(3)

Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/971, the epidemiological situation in the Union has evolved as regards African swine fever, and there have been further instances of that disease that need to be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU.

(4)

In July 2018, an outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs was observed in the county of Bihor in Romania. This outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs constitutes an increased level of risk which should be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. Accordingly, the areas of Romania affected by African swine fever should be listed in Parts I and III of that Annex.

(5)

In July 2018, three outbreaks of African swine fever in domestic pigs were observed in the regions of Pakruojis, Birštonas and Kaisiadorys in Lithuania. These outbreaks of African swine fever in domestic pigs constitute an increased level of risk which should be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. Accordingly, these areas of Lithuania affected by African swine fever should be listed in Part III of that Annex.

(6)

In July 2018, two outbreaks of African swine fever in domestic pigs were observed in the regions of Chelmski and Radzynski in Poland. These outbreaks of African swine fever in domestic pigs, as well as recent cases in wild boar in the same areas of Poland constitute an increased level of risk which should be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. Accordingly, these areas of Poland affected by African swine fever should be listed in Part III of that Annex.

(7)

In July 2018, one outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs was observed in the region of Neretas novads in Latvia. This outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs constitutes an increased level of risk which should be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. Accordingly, this area of Latvia affected by African swine fever should be listed in Part III of that Annex.

(8)

Since July 2017, there has been no notification of any outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs in certain areas of Poland which are currently listed in Part III of that Annex (namely, gminy Mielnik I Nurzec Stacja w powiecie siemiatyckim and gmina Leśna Podlaska w powiecie bialskim). In line with the surveillance data provided by Poland, these areas should now be listed in Part II of the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU, instead of in Part III thereof.

(9)

In order to take account of recent developments in the epidemiological evolution of African swine fever in the Union, and in order to combat the risks associated with the spread of that disease in a proactive manner, new high risk areas of a sufficient size should be demarcated for Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Latvia and duly listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. In addition, recent changes in the epidemiological situation in other areas of Poland where there have been no new notifications of that disease should also be taken into account. That Annex should therefore be amended accordingly.

(10)

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: