(1)

The Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) is an insect native to sub-Saharan Africa, which has spread worldwide in recent decades and can multiply rapidly in the presence, in particular, of bee brood, pollen and honey in honeycomb. Adult specimens can fly up to several kilometres to invade other places. Infestation with small hive beetle is listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 (2).

(2)

The Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) is largely absent from the Union, but infestations have occurred in certain zones in Italy since September 2014. Commission Implementing Decision 2014/909/EU (3) laid down certain animal health protection measures as regards confirmed infestations with the Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) in Italy. Those measures have been taken over by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/597 (4). Currently, only the Region of Calabria is listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision as a zone subject to those protective measures.

(3)

France has recently notified the Commission the infestation with the Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) detected in the French Department of Reunion and also informed about the measures which were put in place. The spread of the Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) from that affected zone in France could constitute a serious hazard to honeybees and bumble bees elsewhere in the Union. The measures taken by France are in line with those taken by Italy and laid down in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/597 and they are considered satisfactory to contain the diffusion of the small hive beetle.

(4)

In order to prevent any unnecessary disturbance to trade within the Union, to avoid unjustified barriers to trade being imposed by third countries, as well as to prevent the spread of infestation with the Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) to other zones of the Union, it is appropriate to add the French Department of Reunion to the list of Member States or zones thereof subject to restriction due to the presence of infestation with the Aethina tumida (small hive beetle).

(5)

Given the difficulties experienced by the competent authority in recent years eradicating the small hive beetle in the affected Member States, those measures should apply until 31 December 2024.

(6)

In order to obtain a clear and consistent text, it is appropriate to repeal Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/597 and replace it with this Decision.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

(a)

‘beehive’ means a container used for keeping honeybees or bumble bees;

(b)

‘apiary’ means an establishment which keeps honeybees or bumble bees;

(c)

‘unprocessed apiculture by-products’ means honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis or pollen not intended for human consumption as defined in point 10 of Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (5) which have not undergone any processing procedure as referred to in Chapter II, Section 1, Table 2, row 10 of the fourth column of Annex XIV to that Regulation;

(d)

‘beekeeping equipment’ means used beehives, parts of beehives and utensils used in an apiary.