Analysis of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1763
This regulation, officially titled COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/1763 of 25 August 2025, serves to update the restricted zones established to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF) across the European Union. It specifically amends Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which outlines the special disease control measures for ASF.
The core function of this regulation is to modify the geographical boundaries of ASF restricted zones, categorized as Zones I, II, and III, within several Member States. These modifications are driven by recent outbreaks of ASF in both domestic and wild pig populations.
The key provision lies within its Annex, which replaces the previous Annex I of Regulation 2023/594. This updated Annex provides a detailed listing of the current restricted zones for each affected Member State, including Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece and Croatia. The changes reflect an escalation of risk in certain areas, with some territories being reclassified from Zone II to Zone III, or Zone I to Zone II, indicating a worsening epidemiological situation.
The regulation mandates that Member States enforce specific disease control measures within these designated zones, as stipulated in the overarching Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594. These measures encompass a range of actions, including movement restrictions on live pigs and pork products, heightened surveillance and testing protocols, enhanced biosecurity measures on pig farms, and potential limitations on hunting activities.
In essence, this regulation is a dynamic tool used to adapt and refine the EU’s response to the evolving threat of African swine fever. It provides a current snapshot of the disease’s spread and mandates specific actions to contain and eradicate it within the affected areas.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1763 of 25 August 2025 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever
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**1. Essence of the Act:**
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1763 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 several Member States due to recent outbreaks of ASF in both kept and wild porcine animals. This regulation aims to combat the risks associated with the spread of ASF by redefining and demarcating new restricted zones based on the evolving epidemiological situation.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Title:** COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/1763 of 25 August 2025 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).
* **Recitals:** These provide the background and justification for the regulation, including:
* The impact of African swine fever on animal populations and farming profitability.
* Reference to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which establishes special disease control measures.
* Previous amendments to Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594.
* New outbreaks of ASF in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
* The need to update restricted zones based on the epidemiological situation, scientific principles, international standards, and Member State justifications.
* Specific details of outbreaks in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, leading to changes in the listing of restricted zones.
* The importance of taking into account the epidemiological situation in surrounding areas when demarcating new restricted zones.
* The urgency for the amendments to take effect quickly.
* **Article 1:** Amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 by replacing Annex I with the text set out in the Annex to this regulation.
* **Article 2:** Specifies that the regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
* **Annex:** Contains the updated Annex I, listing the restricted zones I, II, and III for Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece and Croatia.
* **Changes Compared to Previous Versions:**
* The main change is the updated list of restricted zones in Annex I, reflecting the current epidemiological situation of ASF in the affected Member States.
* Specific changes include:
* **Estonia:** Some areas previously listed as restricted zones II are now listed as restricted zones III.
* **Latvia:** An area previously listed as a restricted zone II is now listed as a restricted zone III.
* **Lithuania:** An area previously listed as a restricted zone II is now listed as a restricted zone III.
* **Poland:** Areas previously listed as restricted zones II are now listed as restricted zones III, and an area previously listed as restricted zone I is now listed as a restricted zone II.
* **Other countries:** There are also changes to restricted zones in Germany, Hungary, Czechia, Greece, Italy, Slovakia and Croatia.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Its Use:**
* **Annex I:** This is the most crucial part of the regulation. It provides the detailed lists of restricted zones I, II, and III for each Member State affected by African swine fever. These lists define the geographical areas where special disease control measures apply.
* **Restricted Zones:** The regulation defines three types of restricted zones:
* **Restricted Zone I:** Areas with a lower risk of ASF spread.
* **Restricted Zone II:** Areas with a higher risk of ASF spread.
* **Restricted Zone III:** Areas with the highest risk of ASF spread, typically where recent outbreaks have occurred.
* **Obligations for Member States:** Member States with listed areas in Annex I are obligated to implement the special disease control measures as outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594. These measures may include:
* Movement restrictions for live pigs and certain pig products.
* Enhanced surveillance and testing for ASF.
* Specific biosecurity measures for pig farms.
* Restrictions on hunting and other activities that could contribute to the spread of the disease.
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This regulation is crucial for farmers, hunters, and other stakeholders in the affected regions, as it directly impacts their activities and obligations. It is essential to consult the specific details of Annex I to determine which zones apply to particular areas and what measures must be followed.
