Source: European Parliament
Control measures at EU level for sheep and goat plague, (also known as Peste des petits ruminants — (PPR)), as well as for sheep pox and goat pox (SGP), among many diseases, are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429[1] and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687[2]. Certain measures differ between these diseases.
Upon occurrence of a disease in an area previously free from it, Regulation (EU) 2016/429 provides for the possibility to adopt temporary national measures, also restricting trade.
Additional EU emergency measures specific to the disease and the affected Member State have also been adopted[3]. After their adoption, such emergency measures are harmonised in the EU and make the above national measures unnecessary, and restricting trade unjustified. The Commission is closely following this process to ensure proper implementation of EU legislation.
Those specific EU measures, in response to outbreaks of diseases like PPR and SGP in each Member State, are fine-tuned and tailormade, taking into account various factors.
The Commission is constantly evaluating them, in cooperation with Member States, to be risk-based, proportionate, and best adapted to the particulars of each epidemiological event, at the time ensuring full compliance with the EU legal framework, while safeguarding both animal health and the internal market .
To support and ensure a coordinated implementation, the Commission works with Member States via the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, enables real-time disease reporting through the Animal Disease Information System, performs Commission audits, and deploys Veterinary Emergency Teams[4] where necessary.
- [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.
- [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj.
- [3] Infection with Peste des petits ruminants virus https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/infection-peste-des-petits-ruminants-virus_en; Sheep pox and goat pox https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/sheep-pox-and-goat-pox_en.
- [4] https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/veterinary-emer gency-team_en.