EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 202/24/COL of 27 November 2024 concerning emergency measures in Norway in relation to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza pursuant to Article 259(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Articles 21, 39 and 55 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 [2025/79]

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice, in particular Articles 1(1)(e), 1(2) and 3 of Protocol 1 thereof.

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 13 in Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’)⁽¹⁾, as amended and as adapted to the EEA Agreement by the specific and the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement, and in particular Articles 257(1) and 259(1)(c) thereof,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 13a in Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of 3 December 2018 on the application of certain disease prevention and control rules to categories of listed diseases and establishing a list of species and groups of species posing a considerable risk for the spread of those listed diseases (‘Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882’)⁽²⁾, as adapted to the EEA Agreement by the specific and the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 as well as the Annex thereof,

Having regard to the Act referred to at point 13e in Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement,

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (‘Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687’)⁽³⁾, as amended and as adapted to the EEA Agreement by the specific and the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement, and in particular Articles 21, 39 and 55 thereof,

as adapted to the EEA Agreement by point 4(d) of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement

Whereas:

1. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (‘HPAI’) is an infectious viral disease in birds and may have a severe impact on the profitability of poultry farming causing disturbance to trade within the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) and exports to third countries. HPAI viruses can infect migratory birds, which can then spread these viruses over long distances during their autumn and spring migrations. Therefore, the presence of HPAI viruses in wild birds poses a continuous threat for the direct and indirect introduction of these viruses into holdings where poultry or captive birds are kept. In the event of an outbreak of HPAI, there is a risk that the disease agent may spread to other holdings where poultry or captive birds are kept.

2. Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes a legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases transmissible to animals or humans. HPAI is referred to in Article 9(1)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as a listed disease subject to the disease prevention and control rules laid down therein. The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 lists HPAI as a category A, D and E disease as defined in Article 1 of that Regulation.

3. Article 259(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 requires the EFTA Surveillance Authority (‘the Authority’) to review emergency measures taken by the Norwegian competent authorities pursuant to Article 257(1) of the same Regulation in the event of an outbreak of a listed disease referred to in Article 9(1)(a) (‘Norwegian measures’), including HPAI. Article 259(1)(c) requires the Authority, where it considers it necessary to avoid unjustified disruptions in the movement of animals and products, to adopt emergency measures referred to in Article 257(1) approving the Norwegian measures.

4. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 supplements the rules for the control of category A, B and C diseases laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429, including disease control measures for HPAI. Article 21 of that Regulation provides for the establishment of protection and surveillance zones in the event of an outbreak of a category A disease, including HPAI, as well as further restricted zones if necessary. This regionalisation is applied in particular to preserve the health status of birds in the remainder of the territory of Norway by preventing the introduction of the pathogenic agent and ensuring the early detection of the disease.

5. Norway notified on 14 November 2024 a confirmed outbreak of HPAI in a private holding with 96 captive birds on Frøya island in Trøndelag municipality⁽⁴⁾. Norwegian competent authorities have taken the necessary disease control measures required in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around this outbreak.

6. In order to prevent any unnecessary disturbance to trade within the EEA, it is necessary to rapidly describe the protection and surveillance zones duly established by Norway in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.

7. The Authority has examined the disease control measures in collaboration with Norway, and it is satisfied that the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones, established by the competent authorities of Norway, are at a sufficient distance to any holding where an outbreak of HPAI has been confirmed.

8. Therefore, the protection and surveillance zones relating to HPAI in Norway should be approved by the Authority in accordance with Article 259(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and listed in an Annex to this Decision and the duration of the measures applicable therein according to Articles 39 and 55 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.

9. Given the urgency of the epidemiological situation in the EEA as regards the spread of HPAI, it is important that this Decision takes effect as soon as possible.

10. On 26 November 2024, the Authority, by its Delegated Decision No 201/24/COL (Document No 1499138), duly submitted the draft Decision to the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee in accordance with Articles 259(1) and 266(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. On 27 November 2024, the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee delivered a positive opinion on the draft Decision. Accordingly, the draft Decision is in accordance with the opinion of the Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: