EU Extends Measures to Combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Written by M. Sean High – Staff Attorney

Effective November 30, 2015, the European Union (EU) passed Implementing Decision 2015/2225.  The legislation, which extends current measures intended to protect against outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, coincides with recent avian influenza detections in France. 

Extended under 2015/2225 was Decision 2005/734/EC; a biosecurity measure designed to 1) reduce the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza from wild birds to domestic poultry; and 2) provide a system for early detection of the disease.  Also extended under 2015/2225 was Decision 2006/415/EC; a measure designed to protect EU member states in the event of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

According to the text of 2015/2225, because of recent outbreaks and the serious risks associated with avian influenza, “[i]t is therefore appropriate to continue mitigating the risks posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza by maintaining biosecurity measures, early detection systems and certain protection measures in relation to future outbreaks of that disease in poultry flocks in the Union.”

All measures extended by 2015/2225 were scheduled to expire December 31, 2015 and have been extended until December 31, 2017.