(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659 (3) establishes the list of third countries and parts of the territory of third countries from which the entry into the Union of equidae and of their semen, ova and embryos is authorised. It also lays down the animal health and veterinary certification requirements applicable to those consignments.

(2)

Directive 2009/156/EC lays down the animal health requirements governing imports of equidae into the Union. It provides that equidae imported into the Union must come from a third country that is free from African horse sickness.

(3)

Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health requirements governing imports of semen, ova and embryos of equidae into the Union. It provides that only those commodities that come from a third country or part of the territory of a third country on a list of third countries drawn up in accordance with that Directive, may be imported into the Union.

(4)

The specific rules for official controls of consignments of animals and germinal products in transit through the Union, including equidae and their germinal products, are laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2124 (4).

(5)

On 1 September 2020 the Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia confirmed positive results in a test for the detection of genome of the African horse sickness virus carried out on samples taken from horses in the State of Terrenganu, in the north-east of the Malaysian peninsula, at least 60 km from the border with Thailand. The Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia has duly declared movement controls on horses throughout that third country and informed the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

(6)

The entry into the Union of equidae and of germinal products of equidae from the Malaysian peninsula should no longer be authorised. Accordingly, the entry for Malaysia in Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659 should be amended, so that the entry into the Union of equidae and germinal products of equidae from the Malaysian peninsula is no longer authorised.

(7)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

Given the risks to animal health, the amendment to the entry for Malaysia in Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659 should take effect as soon as possible.

(9)

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