(1)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 (2) was adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and it lays down emergency measures relating to outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in Spain, that were detected in the regions of Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, where they form two distinct clusters, one in each region. That Implementing Decision applies until 31 October 2023.

(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 further restricted zone, with a view to preventing the spread of sheep pox and goat pox to the rest of its territory and to the rest of the Union.

(4)

After the adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333, Spain notified the Commission of a number of additional outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments where sheep and/or goats were kept. As a result, the areas listed as protection and surveillance zones, as well as the areas listed as further restricted zones for Spain, in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333, were subsequently amended. The last amendment to that Annex was made by the Commission Implementing Decision 2023/872 (4).

(5)

Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/872, Spain has notified the Commission of one additional outbreak of sheep pox and goat pox in establishments where sheep and/or goats were kept, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, more specifically in the Province of Cuenca, outside the surveillance 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 outbreak. Spain has also maintained the previously established restricted zones, around the previous outbreaks, recorded since the beginning of 2023 in Castilla-La Mancha, in the Province of Ciudad Real.

(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 as regards sheep pox and goat pox in the region of Castilla-La Mancha.

(8)

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 the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 by this Decision take effect as soon as possible.

(9)

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 December 2023.

(10)

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

(11)

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

1.

Article 5 is replaced by the following:

2.

the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2333 is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.