Article 73 Criteria for the granting of disease-free status to compartments keeping aquaculture animals

general criteria:

1. (i)

   the territorial scope complies with point (c) of Article 47(2);

2. (ii)

   the surveillance for the disease complies with the requirements laid down in Articles 3(2), 4 and 6 to 9;

3. (iii)

   operators comply with obligations as regards biosecurity measures as laid down in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;

4. (iv)

   compliance with the disease control measures relevant to the disease in the event of a suspicion or confirmation;

5. (v)

   the establishments of which the compartment is comprised are approved;

6. (vi)

   traceability of the animals from the targeted animal population was ensured;

7. (vii)

   when moved, the animals from the targeted animal population or products thereof complied with the animal health requirements for movement within the Union or for entry into the Union of those animals and products thereof;

specific criteria for granting disease-free status based on the provisions of Articles 74 to 77.

compartments which are independent of the health status of the surrounding natural waters; and

compartments which are dependent on the health status of the surrounding natural waters but where conditions exist which create an effective disease specific separation between the compartment and other aquatic animal populations which may be infected.

assess at least the following epidemiological factors:

1. (i)

   geographical location of each establishment in the compartment and the nature of the water supply;

2. (ii)

   health status of other aquaculture establishments in the water system;

3. (iii)

   the location of the establishments referred to in point (ii) and their distance from the dependent compartment;

4. (iv)

   production volume of the establishments referred to in point (ii) as well as their method of production and the source of their animals;

5. (v)

   presence and abundance of wild aquatic animals from relevant listed species in the water system and their health status;

6. (vi)

   details of whether the species referred to in point (v) are sedentary or migratory;

7. (vii)

   possibility of the wild aquatic animals referred to in point (v) entering the compartment;

8. (viii)

   general biosecurity measures in the compartment;

9. (ix)

   general hydrological conditions in the water system;

classify all establishments in the compartment as high risk, in compliance with Chapter 1 of Part I of Annex VI;

impose whatever measures are found to be necessary to prevent the introduction of disease.