Here is the description of the act you provided.
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97 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) within Member States based on recent outbreaks and changes in the epidemiological situation of ASF. The goal is to proactively combat the risks associated with the further spread of ASF within the Union.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Title:** Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97 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).
* **Amendments:** The core of the regulation is the replacement of Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 with a new Annex I, as detailed in the Annex to this regulation. This new annex lists the updated restricted zones I, II, and III for various Member States.
* **Member States Affected:** The changes specifically address the situation in Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece, Croatia and Lithuania.
* **Entry into Force:** The regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* **Restricted Zones:** The key element of this regulation is the updated lists of restricted zones I, II, and III for African swine fever. These zones define areas where special disease control measures apply.
* **Geographical Definitions:** The Annex provides detailed geographical descriptions of the restricted zones within each Member State, often specifying administrative regions, municipalities, and even parts of municipalities.
* **Obligations for Member States:** Member States listed in the Annex, or those with areas listed, are obligated to apply the special disease control measures as outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, taking into account the updated zoning.
* **Impact on Movement:** The establishment and modification of restricted zones directly impact the movement of live pigs and certain pig products within the Union and to third countries.
* **Reference to Other Acts:** The regulation refers to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and the Commission Notice on ASF guidelines, which are essential for understanding the full scope of the applicable measures.
**:** The act is related to Ukraine due to the fact that African Swine Fever is a threat to the agriculture of Ukraine.
