(1)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an infectious viral disease in birds and may have a severe impact on the profitability of poultry farming causing disturbance to trade within the Union and exports to third countries. HPAI viruses can infect migratory birds, which can then spread these viruses over long distances during their autumn and spring migrations. Therefore, the presence of HPAI viruses in wild birds poses a continuous threat for the direct and indirect introduction of these viruses into holdings where poultry or captive birds are kept. In the event of an outbreak of HPAI, there is a risk that the disease agent may spread to other holdings where poultry or captive birds are kept.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes a new legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases that are transmissible to animals or humans. HPAI falls within the definition of a listed disease in that Regulation, and it is subject to the disease prevention and control rules laid down therein. In addition, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 (2) supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards the rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases, including disease control measures for HPAI.

(3)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 (3) has been adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and it lays down disease control measures in relation to outbreaks of HPAI.

(4)

More particularly, Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 provides that the protection and surveillance zones established by the Member States following outbreaks of HPAI, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, are to comprise at least the areas listed as protection and surveillance zones in the Annex to that Implementing Decision.

(5)

The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 was recently amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1872 (4) following an outbreak of HPAI in poultry or captive birds in Italy that needed to be reflected in that Annex.

(6)

Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1872, Germany has notified the Commission of an outbreak of HPAI of subtype H5N1 in an establishment where poultry or captive birds were kept in the Schleswig-Holstein Land of that Member State.

(7)

In addition, Estonia has notified the Commission of one outbreak of HPAI of subtype H5N8 in an establishment where poultry or captive birds were kept in the Tartu County of that Member State.

(8)

Moreover, Italy has notified the Commission of further outbreaks of HPAI of subtype H5N1 in establishments where poultry or captive birds were kept in the Veneto region of that Member State.

(9)

Furthermore, the Netherlands has notified the Commission of an outbreak of HPAI of H5 subtype in an establishment where poultry or captive birds were kept in the Flevoland Province of that Member State.

(10)

The outbreaks in Italy are located within the areas currently listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 and the competent authority of that Member State 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 these outbreaks.

(11)

The outbreaks in Germany, Estonia and the Netherlands are located outside the areas currently listed in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 and the competent authorities of those Member States have taken the necessary disease control measures required in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around these outbreaks.

(12)

The Commission has examined the disease control measures taken by Germany, Estonia, Italy and the Netherlands in collaboration with those Member States and it is satisfied that the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones established by the competent authorities of Germany, Estonia, Italy and the Netherlands are at a sufficient distance from the establishments where the recent outbreaks of HPAI have been confirmed.

(13)

In order to prevent any unnecessary disturbance to trade within the Union and to avoid unjustified barriers to trade being imposed by third countries, it is necessary to rapidly describe at Union level, in collaboration with Germany, Estonia, Italy and the Netherlands the new protection and surveillance zones established by those Member States in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.

(14)

Therefore, protection and surveillance zones should be listed for Germany, Estonia and the Netherlands in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641.

(15)

In addition, the areas listed for Italy in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 should be amended.

(16)

Accordingly, the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 should be amended to update regionalisation at Union level to take account of the new protection and surveillance zones duly established by Germany, Estonia, Italy and the Netherlands, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, and the duration of the restrictions applicable therein.

(17)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(18)

Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union as regards the spread of HPAI, it is important that the amendments to be made to the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/641 by this Decision take effect as soon as possible.

(19)

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