Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1900
of 12 November 2019
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(2019) 8161)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1805, there have been further instances of African swine fever in feral and domestic pigs in Romania. Following these recent instances of that disease, and taking into account the current epidemiological situation in the Union, regionalisation in this Member State has been reassessed and updated. In addition, the risk management measures in place also have been reassessed and updated. These changes need to be reflected in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU.
More particularly, in October and November 2019, three cases of African swine fever in feral pigs and three outbreaks in domestic pigs were observed in the counties of Braşov, Alba and Satu Mare in Romania in areas currently listed in Part III of the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU, located in close proximity to areas listed in Parts I and II of the Annex thereto. These cases and outbreaks of African swine fever in feral and domestic pigs constitute an increased level of risk which should be reflected in that Annex. Accordingly, these areas of Romania listed in Parts I and II of the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU that are in close proximity to areas listed in Part III affected by these recent cases and outbreaks of African swine fever should now be listed in Part III of that Annex instead of in Parts I and II thereof.
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 and duly listed in Part III of the Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU. The Annex to Implementing Decision 2014/709/EU should therefore be amended accordingly.
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: