(1)

Article 15 of Directive 92/65/EEC provides that where a Member State considers that its territory or part of its territory is free from one of the diseases listed in Annex B thereto, it is to submit to the Commission appropriate documentation on the basis of which a Decision is to be adopted recognising that Member State or part of its territory as free and to define additional trade guarantees which may be required.

(2)

Varroosis in honey bees is listed under its former name of ‘varroasis’ in Annex B to Directive 92/65/EEC and Commission Implementing Decision 2013/503/EU (2) has already recognised several territories in Member States as free therefrom. Those territories are listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2013/503/EU together with the additional trade guarantees.

(3)

Portugal requested the Commission to recognise the islands of Corvo, Graciosa, São Jorge, Santa Maria, São Miguel and Terceira of the Açores Archipelago as free from varroosis, asked for additional trade guarantees to be defined corresponding to those which are implemented nationally and submitted appropriate detailed documentation defined in Article 15(1) of Directive 92/65/EEC to substantiate its request.

(4)

In light of the detailed documentation, submitted by Portugal, the islands of Corvo, Graciosa, São Jorge, Santa Maria, São Miguel and Terceira should be considered as territories of Portugal free from varroosis and listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision 2013/503/EU along with the additional trade guarantees.

(5)

Implementing Decision 2013/503/EU should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

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