Here is a description of the provisions of the act:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2189 amends Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lays down special disease control measures for African swine fever (ASF). The amendment involves updating the lists of restricted zones (I, II, and III) in various Member States based on the evolving epidemiological situation of ASF. The goal is to adjust the geographical areas under specific control measures to effectively prevent the further spread of the disease within the Union.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Title:** Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2189 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever.
* **Legal Basis:** The regulation is based on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law), specifically Article 71(3).
* **Main Content:**
* Amends Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lists restricted zones I, II, and III for African swine fever.
* Updates the restricted zones for several Member States, including Croatia, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia, based on recent outbreaks and improvements in the epidemiological situation.
* Reclassifies certain areas from one restricted zone to another (e.g., Zone I to Zone II or Zone II to Zone III) or removes them from the list altogether.
* The changes are based on notifications from Member States, scientific principles, and international standards, such as the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
* **Amendments Compared to Previous Versions:**
* The regulation responds to new outbreaks of ASF in both kept and wild porcine animals in several Member States.
* It also reflects improvements in the epidemiological situation in certain areas, allowing for the relaxation of restrictions in those zones.
* The changes ensure territorial continuity and are in line with the zoning principles outlined in the ASF guidelines and international standards.
* **Structure:** The regulation consists of two articles:
* Article 1: Specifies that Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this regulation.
* Article 2: States the regulation’s entry into force, which is the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* **Geographical Scope:** The key aspect of this regulation is the updated lists of restricted zones in Annex I. Anyone involved in the movement of live pigs or pig products needs to consult the updated annex to determine whether specific areas are subject to restrictions.
* **Restricted Zone Classifications:** The regulation reclassifies certain areas, meaning that the applicable disease control measures may change for those regions. Stakeholders need to be aware of the specific measures in place for each zone (I, II, and III).
* **Entry into Force:** The regulation takes effect immediately after its publication, so it is essential to implement the changes without delay.
* **Impact on Member States:** The regulation directly affects the Member States listed in Annex I, requiring them to implement the updated zoning and apply the corresponding disease control measures.
* **Reference to Other Legislation:** The regulation refers to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which provide the broader legal framework for animal health and disease control.
* **** This regulation has implications for Ukraine, as African Swine Fever is a significant concern in Eastern Europe, and the measures outlined in this regulation aim to prevent its spread, which could indirectly affect Ukraine’s trade and animal health situation.
