(1)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 (2) was adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and it lays down emergency measures for Spain in relation to outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox, that were detected in the regions of Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, where they form two distinct clusters, one in each region.

(2)

More particularly, Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 provides that the protection, surveillance and further restricted zones, to be established by Spain following outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox, in accordance with Article 21 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 (3), are to comprise at least the areas listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision.

(3)

In addition to the protection and surveillance zones, a further restricted zone was established, in accordance with Article 21(1), point (c), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, in both the regions of Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, where Spain is required to apply certain measures regarding restrictions on the movements of sheep and goats outside that zone, with a view to preventing the spread of the disease to the rest of its territory and the rest of the Union.

(4)

After the adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333, Spain notified the Commission of eight additional outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments where ovine and/or caprine animals were kept, located in the region of Castilla-La Mancha. As a result, the areas listed as protection and surveillance zones, as well as further restricted zones for Spain, in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333, were further amended, and the last amendment to that Annex was made by the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/836 (4).

(5)

Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/836, Spain has notified the Commission of one additional outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments where ovine and/or caprine animals were kept, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, concretely in the Province of Ciudad Real, inside the protection zone already established in that region.

(6)

The competent authority of Spain has taken the necessary disease control measures required in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the new outbreaks. Spain has also maintained the previously established restricted zones, around the previous three outbreaks, recorded since the beginning of 2023 in Castilla-La Mancha.

(7)

Therefore, the areas listed as protection, surveillance and further restricted zones for Spain in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 should be amended, spatially and temporally, taking into account the current epidemiological situation in the region of Castilla-La Mancha.

(8)

Furthermore, in view of the current epidemiological situation, it is necessary to put in place stricter measures in relation to movements of sheep and goats kept in the protection or surveillance zones, in order to prevent the spread of the disease to the rest of the territory of Spain and the rest of the Union. To this end, movements of sheep and goats kept in the protection or surveillance zones should only be allowed to a slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter within the same protection or surveillance zone respectively, as the establishment of origin. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure that sheep and goats due for movement are subject to clinical inspection beforehand, to ensure absence of disease suspicion, the means of transport must be cleaned and disinfected before and after transport and must include only sheep and goats of the same health status kept in the same establishment.

(9)

Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards the spread of sheep pox and goat pox, it is important that the amendments to be made to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 by this Decision take effect as soon as possible.

(10)

In addition, taking into account the current epidemiological situation in the Union as regards sheep pox and goat pox, the period of application of Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 should be prolonged until 31 October 2023.

(11)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(12)

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