Okay, I will provide you with a detailed description of the provisions of the act.
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/862 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever.
This regulation updates the zoning for African swine fever (ASF) in several EU member states due to recent outbreaks. It modifies Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lists restricted zones based on the ASF situation. The changes include reclassifying certain areas to higher risk zones (from Zone I to Zone II or Zone II to Zone III), delisting zones where ASF has been absent for a specified period, and defining new restricted zones to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex.
* **Article 1** directly amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 by replacing its Annex I with the text provided in the annex of this new regulation.
* **Article 2** specifies that the regulation will come into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Annex replaces Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, providing an updated list of restricted zones I, II, and III within the affected Member States. These zones are defined by specific geographical areas (municipalities, districts, parts of municipalities, etc.) within Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece and Croatia. The categorization of these zones reflects the assessed risk level for African swine fever spread, with Zone III having the highest risk and Zone I the lowest.
**Main Provisions and Changes:**
* **Germany:** Several changes including delisting some areas from restricted zone I, changing some areas from restricted zone II to restricted zone I and demarcation of new restricted zones I.
* **Greece:** Following an outbreak of African swine fever in kept porcine animals was observed in the East Macedonia and Thrace region in Greece, in an area listed as a restricted zone II. The area was reclassified to restricted zone III.
* **Italy:** Following an outbreak of African swine fever in a wild porcine animal was observed in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy, in an area listed as a restricted zone II, but in close proximity to an area listed as a restricted zone I. The area of Italy currently listed as a restricted zone I was reclassified to restricted zone II. Also, some zones in the Basilicata, Calabria and Emilia Romagna regions in Italy, currently listed as restricted zones I and II were delisted from that Annex due to the absence of African swine fever outbreaks.
* **Poland:** Following outbreaks of African swine fever in wild porcine animals in the Pomorskie, Opolskie and Zachodniopomorskie regions in Poland, in areas listed as restricted zone I and II. The areas of Poland currently listed as restricted zones I were reclassified to restricted zones II. Also, the zone in the Mazowieckie region in Poland, currently listed as a restricted zone I was delisted from that Annex, due to the absence of African swine fever outbreaks.
* Other Member States were also affected by the changes.
**Main provisions for its use:**
* The key provision is the updated Annex I, which defines the specific geographical areas classified as restricted zones I, II, and III.
* This classification is crucial because it dictates the disease control measures that must be applied within each zone. These measures are outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and may include restrictions on the movement of live pigs and pork products, enhanced surveillance, and biosecurity measures.
* The regulation emphasizes a science-based and risk-based approach to zoning, aligning with the ASF guidelines issued by the Commission and international standards from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
* The amendments reflect the dynamic nature of the epidemiological situation and the need for continuous adaptation of control measures.
**** This regulation is particularly important for farmers, hunters, and other stakeholders involved in the pig industry within the listed Member States. They need to be aware of the zoning classifications and the specific control measures that apply to their areas.
