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COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2025/1777
2 September 2025
amending the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 on emergency measures in relation to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States
[notified under document number C(2025) 6024]
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending or repealing certain acts in the field of animal health ('Animal Health Law') (1), and in particular Article 259(1)(c) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an infectious viral disease of birds that can have serious consequences for the profitability of poultry farming by disrupting trade within the Union and exports to third countries. HPAI viruses can infect migratory birds, which, in turn, can spread these viruses over long distances during their autumn and spring migrations. Therefore, the presence of GAAP viruses in wild birds constitutes a continuing threat of direct and indirect introduction of these viruses into holdings keeping poultry or other captive birds. In the event of an outbreak of GAAP, there is a risk that the pathogen could spread to other holdings keeping poultry or other captive birds.
(2)
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes the legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases transmissible to animals or humans. GAAP is considered a "listed disease" as defined in that Regulation and is subject to the disease prevention and control rules set out therein. In addition, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 (2) supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 with regard to the rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases, including GAAP control measures.
(3)
On 24 October 2023, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 (3), which establishes emergency measures at Union level in relation to outbreaks of OAG.
(4)
In particular, Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 establishes that the protection, surveillance and other restricted areas to be established by affected Member States following outbreaks of OAG, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, should cover, as a minimum, the areas listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision as protection, surveillance and other restricted areas. It also establishes that the measures to be applied in those areas, in accordance with that Delegated Regulation, should be maintained at least until the dates set out in that Annex.
(5)
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 was recently amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750 (4) following the emergence of new outbreaks of GAAP in Spain and Portugal in establishments keeping captive birds, which had to be reflected in that Annex.
(6)
Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750, Bulgaria has notified the Commission of three outbreaks of GAAP in establishments keeping poultry located in the Plovdiv region.
(7)
Following these outbreaks, Bulgaria has adopted the corresponding disease control measures in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which include the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the outbreaks.
(8)
The Commission has examined the disease control measures adopted by Bulgaria and considers that the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones established by that Member State are at a sufficient distance from the establishments where the outbreaks of HOAG have been confirmed.
(9)
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 currently lists no protection and surveillance zones in Bulgaria.
(10)
In order to prevent any unnecessary disruption to trade within the Union and to avoid unjustified obstacles to trade by third countries, it is necessary to swiftly determine at Union level, in collaboration with Bulgaria, the protection and surveillance zones established by that Member State in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.
(11)
The protection and surveillance zones for Bulgaria should therefore be included in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447.
(12)
Consequently, the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 should be amended to update the regionalization at Union level, in order to take into account the protection and surveillance zones established by Bulgaria in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and to set out the duration of the measures applicable in those zones.
(13)
It is therefore appropriate to amend Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 accordingly.
(14)
Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union regarding the spread of GAAP, it is important that the amendments to be made to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 by this Decision take effect as soon as possible.
(15)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 is replaced by the text of the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 2 September 2025.
For the Commission
Olivér VÁRHELYI
Member of the Commission
(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 64, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj).
(3) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 of 24 October 2023 on emergency measures regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States (OJ L 2023/2447, 30.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2447/oj). (4) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750 of 12 August 2025 amending the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 on emergency measures regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States (OJ L 2025/1750, 18.8.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/1750/oj).
ANNEX...Continued: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202501777
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2025/1777
2 September 2025
amending the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 on emergency measures in relation to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States
[notified under document number C(2025) 6024]
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending or repealing certain acts in the field of animal health ('Animal Health Law') (1), and in particular Article 259(1)(c) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an infectious viral disease of birds that can have serious consequences for the profitability of poultry farming by disrupting trade within the Union and exports to third countries. HPAI viruses can infect migratory birds, which, in turn, can spread these viruses over long distances during their autumn and spring migrations. Therefore, the presence of GAAP viruses in wild birds constitutes a continuing threat of direct and indirect introduction of these viruses into holdings keeping poultry or other captive birds. In the event of an outbreak of GAAP, there is a risk that the pathogen could spread to other holdings keeping poultry or other captive birds.
(2)
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes the legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases transmissible to animals or humans. GAAP is considered a "listed disease" as defined in that Regulation and is subject to the disease prevention and control rules set out therein. In addition, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 (2) supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 with regard to the rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases, including GAAP control measures.
(3)
On 24 October 2023, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 (3), which establishes emergency measures at Union level in relation to outbreaks of OAG.
(4)
In particular, Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 establishes that the protection, surveillance and other restricted areas to be established by affected Member States following outbreaks of OAG, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, should cover, as a minimum, the areas listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision as protection, surveillance and other restricted areas. It also establishes that the measures to be applied in those areas, in accordance with that Delegated Regulation, should be maintained at least until the dates set out in that Annex.
(5)
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 was recently amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750 (4) following the emergence of new outbreaks of GAAP in Spain and Portugal in establishments keeping captive birds, which had to be reflected in that Annex.
(6)
Since the date of adoption of Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750, Bulgaria has notified the Commission of three outbreaks of GAAP in establishments keeping poultry located in the Plovdiv region.
(7)
Following these outbreaks, Bulgaria has adopted the corresponding disease control measures in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which include the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the outbreaks.
(8)
The Commission has examined the disease control measures adopted by Bulgaria and considers that the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones established by that Member State are at a sufficient distance from the establishments where the outbreaks of HOAG have been confirmed.
(9)
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 currently lists no protection and surveillance zones in Bulgaria.
(10)
In order to prevent any unnecessary disruption to trade within the Union and to avoid unjustified obstacles to trade by third countries, it is necessary to swiftly determine at Union level, in collaboration with Bulgaria, the protection and surveillance zones established by that Member State in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.
(11)
The protection and surveillance zones for Bulgaria should therefore be included in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447.
(12)
Consequently, the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 should be amended to update the regionalization at Union level, in order to take into account the protection and surveillance zones established by Bulgaria in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 and to set out the duration of the measures applicable in those zones.
(13)
It is therefore appropriate to amend Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 accordingly.
(14)
Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the Union regarding the spread of GAAP, it is important that the amendments to be made to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 by this Decision take effect as soon as possible.
(15)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 is replaced by the text of the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 2 September 2025.
For the Commission
Olivér VÁRHELYI
Member of the Commission
(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
(2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 64, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj).
(3) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 of 24 October 2023 on emergency measures regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States (OJ L 2023/2447, 30.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2447/oj). (4) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1750 of 12 August 2025 amending the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 on emergency measures regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in certain Member States (OJ L 2025/1750, 18.8.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/1750/oj).
ANNEX...Continued: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202501777