(1)

Infestation with Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) is a listed disease referred to in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and a category D and E disease referred to in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 (2).

(2)

This disease is largely absent from the Union, but infestations have occurred in the Region of Calabria in Italy since September 2014, and in the French overseas department of Réunion Island since 2022. Currently Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110 (3) lays down certain animal health emergency measures as regards confirmed infestations with the small hive beetle in Italy and in France, with Calabria and Réunion Island being listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision as zones subject to those emergency measures.

(3)

Both Italy and France have recently notified the Commission of new cases of infestation with the small hive beetle detected in Calabria and in Réunion Island. Furthermore, Italy has also recently notified the Commission of several new cases of infestation with the small hive beetle detected in the Region of Sicily which is not listed in the Annex to that Implementing Decision as a zone subject to those emergency measures.

(4)

In order to prevent any unnecessary disturbance to trade within the Union, and to avoid unjustified barriers to trade being imposed by third countries, as well as to prevent the spread of infestation with the small hive beetle to other zones of the Union, it is appropriate to add the Region of Sicily to the list of Member States or zones thereof in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110 subject to emergency measures due to the presence of infestation with the small hive beetle.

(5)

In addition, Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110 applies until 31 December 2024. However, given the continual difficulties experienced by the Member States in recent years eradicating the small hive beetle in the affected Member States, the emergency measures laid down in that Implementing Decision should be prolonged. Accordingly, Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110 should be amended, so that it applies until 31 December 2026.

(6)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/110 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(7)

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

1.

Article 3 is replaced by the following:

2.

the Annex is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.