Here’s a breakdown of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1356:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lays down special disease control measures for African swine fever (ASF). The amendment adjusts the geographical areas listed in Annexes I and II of the original regulation, designating specific zones within certain EU member states as restricted zones (I, II, or III) or infected zones based on recent outbreaks and the evolving epidemiological situation of ASF. The goal is to contain the spread of the disease through targeted control measures in affected regions.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Article 1:** This is the core of the regulation, stating that Annexes I and II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 are replaced by the text provided in the Annex of this new regulation. This means the geographical classifications of restricted and infected zones are being updated.
* **Article 2:** Specifies that the regulation comes into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This highlights the urgency of the measures.
* **Annex:** This section contains the updated lists of restricted zones (I, II, and III) in Annex I and infected zones in Annex II for specific Member States. These lists detail the specific administrative regions (e.g., Bundesländer, Landkreise, municipalities) that fall under each zone classification.
**Changes Compared to Previous Versions:**
The regulation directly amends Annexes I and II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, replacing them with new lists. This is in response to new outbreaks of African swine fever in both wild and kept porcine animals in several Member States (Germany, Italy, Poland, Estonia, Greece, Latvia). The changes involve:
* **Delisting:** Removing areas from Part A of Annex II (infected zones).
* **Listing:** Adding or modifying areas in Annex I as restricted zones I, II, or III.
* **Reclassification:** Upgrading areas from a lower-level restricted zone (e.g., I) to a higher one (e.g., II or III) to reflect increased risk.
* **Redefining Boundaries:** Adjusting the geographical limits of existing restricted zones to account for new outbreaks or changes in the epidemiological situation.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* **Geographical Scope:** The most important aspect is the detailed listing of specific regions within Member States that are now classified as restricted zones (I, II, and III) or infected zones. This determines which control measures apply in those areas.
* **Restricted Zones I, II and III:** The regulation establishes different levels of restricted zones. Each level has specific measures that must be implemented.
* **Entry into Force:** The immediate entry into force emphasizes the urgency of implementing these changes to control the spread of African swine fever.
**** This regulation has implications for Ukraine, as African Swine Fever is a significant concern in Eastern Europe, and the measures implemented by EU member states can influence the spread of the disease in neighboring countries. Ukrainians involved in pig farming or trade with the EU should pay close attention to the restrictions and requirements in the affected zones.
