Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795 of 27 March 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and introducing a derogation for movements of registered equine animals

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/795 7.8.2026 COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION(EU) 2026/795 of 27 March 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and introducing a derogation for movements of registered equine animals (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 and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’)(1), and in particular Articles 131(1), points (c) and (d), 132(2), 137(2), 140, 144(1), point (a)(iv), and 156(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals or to humans. In particular, Chapters 3 and 4 of Title I of Part IV of that Regulation lay down the animal health requirements for movements within the Union of kept terrestrial animals and wild animals respectively.

(2) In addition, Article 4, point (18), of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 defines ‘listed diseases’, and Article 5 of that Regulation provides that disease-specific rules are to apply for the prevention and control of listed diseases, including infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus.

(3) Moreover, Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down disease prevention and control rules to be applied to different categories of listed diseases. Pursuant to Article 9(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882(2) categorises each listed disease as a category A, B, C, D or E disease, which is subject to the corresponding disease-specific rules referred to in Article 9(1), points (a) to (e) of Regulation

(EU) 2016/429. Infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) was categorised as a C+D+E disease until recently and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus is categorised as a category D+E disease, as set out in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882. Consequently, those diseases were subject to the disease- specific rules referred to in Article 9(1), points (c), (d) and (e) or (d) and (e), respectively of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

(4) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688(3) was adopted within the framework of Regulation

(EU) 2016/429, and supplements the rules for the prevention and control of the listed diseases referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards movements within the Union of kept terrestrial animals and wild animals, including ungulates, susceptible to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus.

(1) OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.

(2) 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 (OJ L 308, 4.12.2018, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/1882/oj).

(3) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards animal health requirements for movements within the Union of terrestrial animals and hatching eggs (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 140, ELI: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/688/oj).

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(5) Infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) was listed until recently as a category C+D+E disease in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 and one of the disease-specific measures to prevent and control was the establishment of an optional eradication programme, in accordance with Article 31(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

The rules for optional eradication programmes for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) are laid down in

Section 4 of Chapter 2 of Part II and in Part II of Annex V to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689(4). In addition, Article 43 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 also lays down rules for the movements of animals into Member States or zones thereof covered by eradication programmes for infection with the bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24). Consequently, the requirements related to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) for movements within the Union of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 are, by way of cross-references, those laid down in Article 43 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 for movements of animals when entering into a Member State or zone thereof covered by an eradication programme.

(6) Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882, has recently been amended by Commission Implementing Regulation

(EU) 2026/169(5), which applies as of 1 November 2026. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/169 has re-categorised infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) as a category D+E disease. Such re-categorisation necessitates the amendment of the rules for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) as regards optional eradication programmes, including the requirements for movements of animals when entering into a Member States or zone thereof covered by an eradication programme for the bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) laid down in Article 43 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689. Those amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 apply from 1 November 2026. Therefore, the requirements related to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) for movements within the Union laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, also need to be amended from that date.

(7) Accordingly, this Regulation should amend the rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 for movements of the listed species Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Camelidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae, Moschidae, Tragulidae within the Union as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) by replacing the current cross references to, and rules laid down in, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689.

(8) Infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus are from an epidemiological point of view two similar diseases and they affect the same listed species. Therefore, it is appropriate to align the animal health requirements for movements of listed species within the Union for both diseases. Moreover, the experience gained in recent years controlling infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus has shown the need to simplify and make certain adjustments to a number of animal health requirements laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.

(9) As regards infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, supplementary risk mitigating measures for operators of slaughterhouses related to transport operations are currently laid down in Article 9(3) of Delegated Regulation

(EU) 2020/688, and are applicable to a very limited number of situations. As regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), supplementary risk mitigating measures for operators of slaughterhouses related to transport operations are laid down in Article 9(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, and are applicable to a limited but wider range of situations. However, both of those provisions are of low level of effectiveness to prevent the spread of those diseases in the current epidemiological situation and considering the vector-borne spread of both diseases. Due to their low level of effectiveness, such supplementary risk mitigating measures represent an additional burden for operators, while not adding a significant risk prevention value. For that reason and for the sake of alignment of Union rules, those supplementary risk mitigating measures for operators of slaughterhouses should be deleted from Article 9(2) and (3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.

(4) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for surveillance, eradication programmes, and disease-free status for certain listed and emerging diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 211, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/689/oj).

(5) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/169 of 26 January 2026 amending the Annex to Implementing Regulation

(EU) 2018/1882 concerning the categorisation of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) as a listed disease (OJ L, 2026/169,

27.1.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/169/oj).

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(10) For the sake of simplification of Union rules, this Regulation should amend Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 by removing the possibility for the competent authority of the Member State of destination to accept the movement of animals not subject to any animal health requirements concerning infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) currently laid down in Article 13, and Articles 17, point (b), 24, point (b), 27, point (b), and 30, point (b), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, or not subject to any animal health requirements concerning infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus currently laid down in point (a) of the second subparagraph of Articles 10(1), 15(1), 23(1), 26(1) and 29(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, as these two possibilities have been rarely used by the Member States.

(11) Based on experience gained concerning the application of the current rules, received from several stakeholder organisations and the competent authorities of the Member States, this Regulation should remove the existing derogation for movements of kept animals intended for slaughter to other Member States whereby the animals must come from an establishment in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure currently laid down in Articles 14, point (e), 18, point (e), 25, point (c), 28, point (c) and 31, point (c) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688. The risk posed by the movement of animals from establishments where the disease was reported in the previous 30 days is adequately addressed by the provisions laid down in Article 126(1), point (a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, to prevent movement of animals which show disease symptoms, and the existing obligations laid down in Article 9 of Delegated Regulation

(EU) 2020/688 for the operator of the slaughterhouse to slaughter these animals within 24 hours of arrival.

(12) Moreover, this Regulation should amend Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 by removing the existing supplementary animal health requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), currently laid down in Articles 32 and 33 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, and for infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus for transport operations, currently laid down in the third subparagraph of Articles 10(1), 15(1), 23(1), 26(1) and 29(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as they are very difficult to apply and of limited effectiveness to prevent the spread of those diseases in the current epidemiological situation and considering the vector-borne spread of both diseases.

(13) As regards infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, currently there are no requirements laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 related to this disease for movements of kept terrestrial animals from confined establishments into confined establishments in another Member State. As regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), there are requirements related to this disease for this type of movement currently laid down in Article 64 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688. However, the risk posed by this type of movement is adequately addressed by the existing obligation, laid down in Article 64 (1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, for the operator to only move kept terrestrial animals from a confined establishment to a confined establishment in another Member State if those animals do not pose a significant risk for the spread of diseases for which they are listed, based on the results of the surveillance programme covering those animals. Therefore, for the sake of simplification and alignment of Union rules, the requirements related to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) should be deleted from Article 64 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.

(14) As regards infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, currently there are no special rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 for movements of travelling circuses and animal acts to other Member States.

As regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), there are requirements related to this disease for this type of movements currently laid down in Article 65 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688. Considering the current epidemiological situation, the existing special rules are of limited effectiveness to prevent the spread of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24). Therefore, for the sake of simplification and alignment, these special rules related to infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) should be deleted from Article 65 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688.

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(15) Concerning the movement of wild terrestrial animals to other Member States, the existing rules laid down in Article 101 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 do not provide for risk mitigation measures related to infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus other than the absence of the disease within a radius of 150 km during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure. For infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 provides for additional risk mitigation measures. For the sake of alignment, this Regulation should amend Article 101 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 in order to provide for additional risk mitigation measures related to infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease in line with those provided for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24).

(16) Article 144(1), point (a)(iv), of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts concerning derogations from the animal health certification requirements provided for in Article 143(1) of that Regulation, for movements of kept terrestrial animals, which do not pose a significant risk for the spread of listed diseases, where the place of destination of those kept terrestrial animals is in the same Member State as their place of origin but which pass through another Member State in order to reach their place of destination.

(17) Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and lays down animal health requirements for movements within the Union of terrestrial animals, including equine animals. When applying the rules laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 some Member States have experienced that certain operators are moving their registered equine animals from one establishment to another, both located in the territory of the same Member State, but passing through other Member States, as such routes seem to be logistically more suitable. Movements of registered equine animals, which comply with the general requirements laid down in Article 124 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and with the disease prevention measures in relation to transport laid down in Article 125 thereof, do not pose a significant risk for the spread of listed diseases, provided that during the passage the registered equine animals are physically separated from equine animals of the Member State of passage.

Therefore, the movements of such registered equine animals should be allowed without animal health certification if they are accompanied by a self-declaration document issued by operators and a new article should be inserted in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 containing provisions for such movements.

(18) As the amendments made to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/169 concerning the new categorisation of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) apply from 1 November 2026 this Regulation should also apply from that date.

(19) Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 should, therefore, be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 is amended as follows:

(1) in Article 3, points (18) and (19) are deleted;

(2) Article 9 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 9 Supplementary risk mitigating measures for operators of slaughterhouses Operators of slaughterhouses shall ensure that animals of listed species for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus are slaughtered at the latest within 24 hours of the time

of arrival at the slaughterhouse when they come from another Member State and that:

(a) they do not comply with at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in either in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX; or 4/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/795/ojEN OJ L, 7.8.2026

(b) they do not comply with at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX, which were subject to an authorisation by a competent authority of a Member State referred to in Articles 13(2), 17(2), 24(2), 27(2), or 30(2).’;

(3) Article 10(1) is amended as follows:

(a) point (f) is replaced by the following: ‘(f) the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX, except when the animals are moved in accordance with the derogations for movements of kept bovine animals to other Member States or zones thereof provided for in Article 13;’;

(b) points (i) and (j) are deleted;

(c) the second, third and fourth subparagraphs are deleted;

(4) in Article 11, paragraphs 4 and 5 are replaced by the following paragraph 4: ‘4. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall not apply to kept bovine animals intended for slaughter referred to in Article 14.’;

(5) in Article 12, paragraphs 4 and 5 are replaced by the following paragraph 4: ‘4. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall not apply to kept bovine animals intended for slaughter in another Member State referred to in Article 14.’;

(6) Article 13 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 13 Derogations for movements of kept bovine animals to other Member States as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes (1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

1. By way of derogation from the requirement for movements of kept bovine animals to other Member States laid down in Article 10(1), point (f), the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of kept bovine animals if the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotype 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of origin may only authorise the types of movements in accordance with paragraph 1, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(7) in Article 14, point (e) is deleted;

(8) Article 15(1) is amended as follows:

(a) point (e) is replaced by the following: ‘(e) the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX, except when the animals are moved in accordance with the derogations for movements of kept ovine or caprine animals to other Member States or zones thereof provided for in Article 17;’;

(b) points (h) and (i) are deleted;

(c) the second, third and fourth subparagraphs are deleted;

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(9) Article 17 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 17 Derogations for movements of kept ovine and caprine animals to other Member States as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

1. By way of derogation from the requirement for movements of kept ovine and caprine animals to other Member States laid down in Article 15(1), point (e), the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of kept ovine and caprine animals if the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotype 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of origin may only authorise the types of movements in accordance with paragraph 1, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(10) in Article 18, point (e) is deleted;

(11) Article 23(1) is amended as follows:

(a) point (g) is replaced by the following: ‘(g) the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX, except when the animals are moved in accordance with the derogations for movements of kept camelid animals to other Member States or zones thereof provided for in Article 24;’;

(b) points (j) and (k) are deleted;

(c) the second, third and fourth subparagraphs are deleted;

(12) Article 24 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 24 Derogations for movements of kept camelid animals to other Member States as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes (1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

1. By way of derogation from the requirement for movement of kept camelid animals to other Member States laid down in Article 23(1), point (g), the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of kept camelid animals if the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of origin may only authorise the types of movements in accordance with paragraph 1, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(13) in Article 25, point (c) is deleted;

(14) Article 26(1) is amended as follows:

(a) point (g) is replaced by the following: ‘(g) the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX, except when the animals are moved in accordance with the derogations for movements of kept cervid animals to other Member States or zones thereof provided for in Article 27;’;

(b) points (j) and (k) are deleted;

(c) the second, third and fourth subparagraphs are deleted;

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(15) Article 27 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 27 Derogations for movements of kept cervid animals to other Member States as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes (1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

1. By way of derogation from the requirement for movement of kept cervid animals to other Member States laid down in Article 26(1), point (g), the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of kept cervid animals if they animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic virus, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of origin may only authorise the types of movements in accordance with paragraph 1, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(16) in Article 28, point (c) is deleted;

(17) Article 29(1) is amended as follows:

(a) point (f) is replaced by the following: ‘(f) the animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 1 or 2 of Part 1 of Annex IX, except when the animals are moved in accordance with the derogations for movements of other kept ungulates animals to other Member States or zones thereof provided for in Article 30;’;

(b) points (i) and (j) are deleted;

(c) the second, third and fourth subparagraphs are deleted;

(18) Article 30 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 30 Derogations for movements of other kept ungulate animals to other Member States as regards infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes (1-24) and infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

1. By way of derogation from the requirement for movement of other kept ungulates to other Member States laid down in Article 29(1), point (f), the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of other kept ungulate animals if they animals fulfil at least one set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic virus, set out in point 3 of Part 1 of Annex IX.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of origin may only authorise the types of movements in accordance with paragraph 1, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(19) in Article 31, point (c) is deleted;

(20) Articles 32 and 33 are deleted;

(21) in Article 64, paragraphs 2 and 3 are deleted;

(22) in Article 65, paragraphs 2 and 3 are deleted;

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(23) the following Article 69a is inserted after Article 69: ‘Article 69a Derogation for movements of registered equine animals passing through other Member States to reach their place of destination in Member State of origin

1. By way of derogation from the obligation of operators to ensure that animals are accompanied by an animal health certification when moved to another Member State laid down in Article 143(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, operators may move registered equine animals where their place of destination is in the same Member State as their place of origin but they pass through other Member States in order to reach their place of destination provided that they are accompanied during the movement by a self-declaration document issued by the operator demonstrating

the following:

(a) the registered equine animals fulfil at least the general requirements for movements of kept terrestrial animals laid down in Article 124 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;

(b) the registered equine animals show no disease symptoms on the day of the movement;

(c) the operator has ensured that the transport conditions fulfil at least the disease prevention measures in relation to transport laid down in Article 125 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and the requirements laid down in Articles 4 and 5 and Article 6(2) of this Regulation;

(d) the operator has taken the necessary measures to ensure that the registered equine animals are consigned directly to their place of destination without contact with other equine animals while in the Member State of passage;

(e) the registered equine animals arrive at the establishment of destination within 12 hours from the time of dispatch;

(f) the establishment of dispatch is different from the establishment of destination;

(g) the following information concerning the movement must be included in the self-declaration document:

(i) the address and registration number of the establishment of dispatch;

(ii) the address and registration number of the establishment of destination;

(iii) the date of the movement;

(iv) the species of registered equine animals moved;

(v) the unique codes of registered equine animals moved;

(vi) the means of transport, including its registration number plate, and the transporter, including the name and the registration number;

(h) the operator must be aware that the authorisation of the Member State of passage referred to in paragraph 2 is applicable and exists for the time of the movement.

2. The competent authority of the Member State of passage shall inform the Commission, the other Member States and the public that such movements are authorised.’;

(24) Article 101 is amended as follows:

(a) paragraph 4 is amended as follows:

(i) point (c)(iv) is replaced by the following: ‘(iv) infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus within a radius of 150 km in terrestrial animals of listed species for those diseases during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure.’;

(ii) point (d) is deleted;

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(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: ‘5. By way of derogation from point (c)(iv) of paragraph 4, the competent authority of the Member State of origin may authorise the movement of wild terrestrial animals belonging to the families of animals belonging to the families of Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Camelidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae, Moschidae or Tragulidae, if the animals comply with at least one of the set of requirements for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, set out in point 4 of Part 1 of Annex IX.’;

(c) the following paragraph 6 is added: ‘6. The competent authority of the Member State of origin shall only authorise types of movements of wild terrestrial animals to other Member States in compliance with one of the set of requirements set out in points 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) of Part 1 of Annex IX, if the competent authority of the Member State of destination has informed the Commission and the other Member States of the authorisation of such types of movements regardless of the Member State of origin or area thereof.’;

(25) Annex IX is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 November 2026.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2026.

For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/795/oj 9/12EN OJ L, 7.8.2026 ANNEX ‘ANNEX IX RISK MITIGATING MEASURES FOR INFECTION WITH BLUETONGUE VIRUS (SEROTYPES 1-24) OR INFECTION WITH EPIZOOTIC HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS IN THE EVENT OF MOVEMENTS TO OTHER MEMBER STATES OF KEPT AND WILD ANIMALS OF LISTED SPECIES FOR THOSE DISEASES (Referred to in Articles 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30 and 101) PART 1 Movement of animals

1. The kept animals:

(a) have been kept at least for the last 60 days prior to the date of departure, or since birth, if they are younger than 60 days of age, in establishments, within an area of at least 150 km radius in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, has not been reported in the listed species for those diseases during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure; and

(b) have not been vaccinated with a live vaccine against infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus during the last 60 days prior the date of movement.

2. The kept animals have been kept in establishments, within an area of at least 150 km radius in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, has been reported in the listed species for those diseases during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure, and at least one

of the following requirements is complied with:

(a) they have been kept in an area seasonally vector-free in accordance with the requirements for seasonally vector- free areas laid down in Part 2:

(i) for at least 60 days prior to the date of departureor since birth, if they are younger than 60 days of age; or

(ii) for at least 28 days prior to the date of departure, and they have been subjected to a serological test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 28 days following the entry date of the animal into the seasonally vector-free area; or

(iii) for at least 14 days prior to the date of departure, and they have been subjected to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 14 days following the entry date of the animal into the seasonally vector-free area.

(b) they have been kept protected from attacks by vectors from infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus in a vector protected establishment fulfilling the requirements for a vector protected establishment laid down in Part 3 :

(i) for at least 60 days prior to the date of departure or since birth, if they are younger than 60 days of age; or

(ii) for at least 28 days prior to the date of departure, and they have been subjected to a serological test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 28 days following the date of the commencement of the period of protection from attacks by vectors; or

(iii) for at least 14 days prior to the date of departure, and they have been subjected to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 14 days following the date of commencement of the period of protection from attacks by vectors.

10/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/795/ojEN OJ L, 7.8.2026

(c) they have been vaccinated against all serotypes of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, reported during the last two years prior to the date of departure in that area and they are within the immunity period, between the onset of immunity and end of immunity, set in the specifications of the vaccine, and at least one of the following requirements is complied

with:

(i) they have been vaccinated at least 60 days prior to the date of departure; or

(ii) they have been vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine and have been subject to a PCR test, with negative results on samples collected at least 14 days after the onset of the immunity set in the specifications of the vaccine.

3. The kept animals have been kept in establishments within an area of at least 150 km radius in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, has been reported in the listed species for those diseases during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure, and at least one

of the following requirements is complied with:

(a) they have been vaccinated against all serotypes of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, reported during the last two years prior to the date of departure in that area;

(b) they comply with specific risk-mitigating measures required by the competent authority of the Member State of destination;

(c) the animals comply with any of the requirements provided for in point (c) of paragraph 2 or points (a) or (b) of this paragraph only for the serotypes of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, reported during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure in the area of origin and not in the area of destination during that period.

4. The wild animals come from a habitat within an area of at least 150 km radius in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, has been reported in the listed species for those diseases during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure and at least one of the following

requirements is complied with:

(a) they come from an area seasonally vector-free in accordance with the requirements for seasonally vector-free areas laid down in Part 2 for at least 60 days prior to the date of departure;

(b) they have been vaccinated against all serotypes of infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, reported during the last two years prior to the date of departurein that area;

(c) the animals comply with specific risk-mitigating measures required by the competent authority of the Member State of destination;

(d) the animals comply with any of the requirements provided for in point (b) or (c) of this paragraph only for the serotypes of infection with with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, as relevant, reported for the past 2 years prior to the date of departurein the area of origin and not in the area of destination during that period.

PART 2 Seasonally vector-free areas

1. In the event of movements to other Member States of animals of listed species for infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, seasonally vector-free areas may be established if the beginning and the end of the vector-free period has been demonstrated by the competent authority based on entomological surveillance.

2. If the vector-free period has been successfully demonstrated for a period of 3 consecutive years, additional criteria, such as temperature may replace entomological surveillance to substantiate the beginning and the end of the vector- free period on the basis of scientific evidence.

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/795/oj 11/12EN OJ L, 7.8.2026

3. The recognition of seasonally vector-free areas shall immediately be withdrawn when there is evidence of the end of the vector-free period or of first annual circulation of bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) or epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus.

PART 3 Vector protected establishment Vector protected establishments shall comply with the following requirements recognised, and verified, by the competent

authority at an appropriate frequency:

(a) it has appropriate physical barriers at entry and exit points;

(b) openings shall be vector screened with mesh of appropriate gauge which shall be impregnated regularly with an approved insecticide according to the manufacturers’ instructions;

(c) vector surveillance and control shall be carried out within and around the vector protected establishment;

(d) measures shall be taken to limit or eliminate breeding sites for vectors in the vicinity of the vector protected establishment; and

(e) standard operating procedures shall be in place, including descriptions of back-up and alarm systems, for operation of the vector protected establishment and transport of animals to the place of loading.’ 12/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/795/oj