Okay, I can help you with that. Here’s a breakdown of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1242:
**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 key changes involve updating the restricted zones (I, II, and III) listed in Annexes I and II of the previous regulation, based on recent ASF outbreaks and epidemiological developments in several EU Member States, including Germany, Italy, Poland, Greece and Croatia. The goal is to adapt and strengthen measures to prevent the further spread of this animal disease within the Union.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Article 1:** This article is the core of the amendment. It states that Annexes I and II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 are replaced entirely with the new text as set out in the Annex of this current regulation (2025/1242). This means all previous zones are superseded.
* **Article 2:** Specifies the entry into force, which is the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This ensures the changes are implemented rapidly due to the urgent epidemiological situation.
**Annex I** details the restricted zones I, II and III within specific Member States. These zones are categorized based on the risk level associated with ASF outbreaks. The annex lists specific administrative regions (e.g., Bundesländer, Landkreise, municipalities) within each Member State that fall into these zones. The changes reflect:
* The addition of new areas to restricted zones due to recent outbreaks in wild or kept porcine animals.
* The reclassification of certain areas to higher-risk zones (e.g., from Zone I to Zone II or III) due to increased risk.
* The removal of areas from restricted zones where the epidemiological situation has improved.
**Annex II** establishes areas at Union level as infected zones or restricted zones.
* Part A lists areas established as infected zones following an outbreak of African swine fever in wild porcine animals in a previously disease-free Member State or zone.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* **Geographic Scope:** The most critical aspect is the precise geographic definition of the restricted zones within each Member State. Businesses and individuals involved in the movement of live pigs, pork products, or other related activities need to consult Annex I to determine if their operations are affected by the restrictions.
* **Disease Control Measures:** The specific disease control measures that apply within each zone (I, II, or III) are not detailed in this regulation itself. Instead, it refers back to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which outline the applicable measures. Therefore, operators need to be familiar with those regulations as well.
* **Dynamic Nature:** The regulation acknowledges that the ASF situation is very dynamic. This implies that the restricted zones are subject to change based on future epidemiological developments. It is crucial to stay updated on any further amendments to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594.
* **Impact on Germany:** . The inclusion of an infected zone in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany in Part A of Annex II is a significant development, as it marks a new area affected by ASF in a previously disease-free region. This will trigger specific control measures in that area.
* **Impact on Ukraine:** This act does not directly mention Ukraine.
