(1)

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 provides that consignments of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin from a third country or territory, or zone or compartment thereof, are only to be allowed to enter into the Union if the third country or territory, or zone or compartment thereof, concerned is listed in accordance with Article 230(1) of that Regulation in order to enter the Union.

(2)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 (2) lays down the animal health requirements that consignments of certain species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin, from third countries or territories, or zones or compartments thereof in the case of aquaculture animals, must comply with in order to enter the Union.

(3)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 (3) lays down the lists of third countries or territories, or zones thereof, from which the entry into the Union of the species and categories of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin falling within the scope of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 is permitted. Those lists and certain general rules concerning those lists are set out in Annexes I to XXII to that Implementing Regulation.

(4)

More particularly, Annexes XIII and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 sets out the lists of third countries or territories, or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of ungulates and meat products from ungulates, poultry and game birds respectively.

(5)

On 24 September 2026, Namibia informed the Commission of a confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in an establishment where cattle are kept in the region of //Kharas, which was confirmed by the competent authorities on 23 September 2026. The region of //Kharas is part of the zone ‘NA-1’ which is listed in Annex XIII and in Section B of Part 1 of Annex XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat and meat products of certain ungulates.

(6)

The list of third countries or territories, or zones thereof set out in Part 1 of Annex XIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 specifies that the entry into the Union from the zone ‘NA-1’ of consignments of fresh meat of certain ungulates is authorised.

(7)

Also, the list of third countries, territories or zones thereof set out in Section B of Part 1 of Annex XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 specifies that the entry into the Union of consignments of certain processed meat products (biltong/jerky type) which have undergone relevant treatment from the zone ‘NA-1’ is authorised.

(8)

Due to the risk of the introduction of FMD into the Union linked to the entry of consignments of fresh meat and processed meat products (biltong/jerky type) of certain ungulates from ‘NA-1’ zone in Namibia, the entry into the Union of such consignments should no longer be authorised.

(9)

The entries for Namibia in the lists of third countries or territories, or zones thereof set out in the Annexes XIII and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should therefore be amended to take account of the current epidemiological situation as regards FMD in that third country.

(10)

Annexes XIII and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(11)

Taking into account the current epidemiological situation in Namibia as regards FMD, the amendments to be made to Annexes XIII and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 by this Regulation should take effect as a matter of urgency.

(12)

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