Date: 2025-05-08Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 019/25/COL of 26 February 2025 to amend Annex II to Delegated Decision No 203/21/COL regarding the approval of national measures of Norway and Iceland designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals in accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council [2025/879]
## Policy Analysis Report: EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 01925COL (Amendment to Decision No 20321COL)
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 01925COL of 26 February 2025. This decision amends Annex II to Delegated Decision No 20321COL, concerning national measures by Norway and Iceland to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals. The key finding is that this amendment updates the list of areas in Norway with eradication programs for *Gyrodactylus salaris*, specifically adding the Bergerelva river catchment area in Buskerud County. This change reflects a confirmed infection in that area and aims to control the spread of the disease within the EEA.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 01925COL, based solely on the provided policy text. This analysis focuses on understanding the amendment's objectives, changes introduced, and potential implications for stakeholders within the affected industry.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This decision is an amendment to Delegated Decision No 20321COL of 16 July 2021.
The core objective of the overarching policy, as inferred from the text, is to prevent the introduction and control the spread of non-listed aquatic animal diseases in Norway and Iceland that pose a significant risk, as per Article 226(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. The amendment specifically aims to update and refine existing eradication programs based on new disease occurrences.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment is likely prompted by the confirmed presence of *Gyrodactylus salaris* in the Bergerelva river in Buskerud County, Norway, on 13 October 2024. The amendment reflects a need to adapt existing eradication programs to address new outbreaks of diseases affecting aquatic animals. Without this amendment, the existing measures would be insufficient to prevent the spread of the disease from the newly affected area.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This decision *amends* Annex II to Decision No 20321COL.
* **Specific Part Changed:** Annex II to Decision No 20321COL, which lists areas in Norway and Iceland with eradication programmes for certain diseases affecting aquatic animals and for which national measures are approved.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The water catchment area of the Bergerelva river in Buskerud County, Norway, is *added* to the list of areas with eradication programmes for *Gyrodactylus salaris*. The amended Annex II replaces the original.
* **Difference/Effect:** The amendment expands the geographical scope of the *Gyrodactylus salaris* eradication program in Norway. This means that national measures approved under Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 now apply to the Bergerelva river catchment area, potentially impacting activities related to aquatic animals within that region.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders affected by this specific change include:
* Aquaculture businesses and fish farms operating within or near the Bergerelva river catchment area in Buskerud County, Norway.
* Fisheries and recreational fishing communities in the same area.
* Authorities responsible for managing and monitoring aquatic animal health in Norway (especially in Buskerud County) and Iceland.
* Businesses involved in the movement of aquatic animals between Norway/Iceland and other EEA states.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The EFTA Surveillance Authority is responsible for approving the national measures. Norwegian authorities are responsible for implementing and enforcing the eradication program within the Bergerelva river catchment area.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The text doesn't specify exact timelines or procedures for implementation related solely to *this amendment*. However, it references Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, suggesting that Norway must implement approved national measures to control the spread of *Gyrodactylus salaris* in the newly affected area. Eradication programmes should lead to improvement in the disease situation within a reasonable time, with the period of application not exceeding six years from initial approval of the programme.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of this specific amendment is to control and eradicate *Gyrodactylus salaris* from the Bergerelva river catchment area in Buskerud County. This will likely involve restrictions on the movement of aquatic animals from the area and measures to disinfect equipment and prevent further spread. Successful implementation will help protect the health of aquatic animal populations, especially salmon, and minimize the impact on related industries such as aquaculture and recreational fishing. Failure to implement the amendment effectively could lead to the further spread of *Gyrodactylus salaris* and increased economic and ecological damage.
**9. Conclusion:**
EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision No 01925COL amends Decision No 20321COL to include the Bergerelva river catchment area in Buskerud County, Norway, within the scope of the *Gyrodactylus salaris* eradication program. This amendment is a direct response to the confirmed presence of the disease in that area and is crucial for preventing its further spread within the EEA. This amendment highlights the ongoing effort to monitor and control aquatic animal diseases, with implications for aquaculture, fisheries, and related industries.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: Political and economic union of European countries.
EFTA: European Free Trade Association
EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY: The surveillance authority of the European Free Trade Association.
Delegated Decision No 01925COL: EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision to amend Annex II to Delegated Decision No 20321COL regarding the approval of national measures of Norway and Iceland designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals
Delegated Decision No 20321COL: EFTA Surveillance Authority Delegated Decision regarding the approval of national measures of Norway and Iceland designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals.
Norway: Country in Northern Europe and member of the EEA/EFTA.
Iceland: Island country in the North Atlantic and member of the EEA/EFTA.
Regulation EU 2016429: Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council on transmissible animal diseases (Animal Health Law).
European Parliament: The parliamentary assembly of the European Union.
Council: Refers to the Council of the European Union.
EFTA States: States that are members of the European Free Trade Association.
Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice: Agreement that establishes the EFTA Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice.
Protocol 1: Protocol 1 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice.
Agreement on the European Economic Area: Agreement between the EFTA states and the European Union regarding the European Economic Area.
EEA Agreement: Abbreviation for the Agreement on the European Economic Area
EEA: European Economic Area
EFTA Surveillance Authority the Authority: Reference to the EFTA Surveillance Authority.
Gyrodactylus salaris: A monogenean parasite that infects salmonid fish.
salmon fry: Young salmon.
river Bergerelva: River in Buskerud County, Norway.
Buskerud County: A former county of Norway.
13 October 2024: Date when Gyrodactylus salaris was confirmed in salmon fry in the river Bergerelva.
21 February 2025: Date when the Authority, by its Delegated Decision No 01825COL Document No 1512719, duly submitted the draft Decision to the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee.
Delegated Decision No 01825COL Document No 1512719: Delegated Decision submitted to the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee
EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee: Committee that delivered a positive opinion on the draft Decision.
25 February 2025: Date when the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee delivered a positive opinion on the draft Decision.
Brussels: Location where the decision was made.
26 February 2025: Date of the Delegated Decision No 01925COL.
Decision No 13020COL: Delegation Decision under which the EFTA Surveillance Authority acted.
rni Pll RNASON: Individual associated with the EFTA Surveillance Authority.
MelpoMenie JOSPHIDS: Responsible College Member Countersigning as Director, Legal and Executive Affairs at the EFTA Surveillance Authority.
Mre and Romsdal: A county in Norway.
Batnfjordselva, Driva, Litledalselva, Usma, ksendalselva and Gylelva: Water catchment areas in Mre and Romsdal, Norway.
Drammenselva, Lierelva, Ebbestadelva and Bergerelva: Water catchment areas in Buskerud, Norway.
Vestfold: A former county in Norway.
Vesleelva Sandeelva and Selvikvassdraget: Water catchment areas in Vestfold, Norway.
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 1792020 of 11 December 2020: Decision incorporating Regulation EU 2016/429 into the EEA Agreement.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/879 8.5.2025
EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DELEGATED DECISIONNo 019/25/COL
of 26 February 2025
to amend Annex II to Delegated Decision No 203/21/COL regarding the approval of national
measures of Norway and Iceland designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals in
accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the
Council [2025/879]
THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,
Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of
Justice, in particular Articles 1(1)(e), 1(2) and 3 of Protocol 1 thereof,
Having regard to the Act referred to at Point 13 of Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the Agreement on the European
Economic Area (‘EEA Agreement’),
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 (‘Regulation (EU) 2016/429’)(1), as amended and as
adapted to the EEA Agreement by the specific and the sectoral adaptations referred to in Annex I to that Agreement,
and in particular Articles 226, 266(2) and 270(2) thereof,
as adapted to the EEA Agreement by point 4(d) of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement.
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 establishes the legislative framework for the prevention and control of diseases
transmissible to animals or humans. Article 226(1) of that Regulation provides that Norway and Iceland may adopt
national measures to prevent the introduction, or control the spread, of a disease other than a listed disease referred
to in Article 9(1)(d) of that Regulation where that disease constitutes a significant risk for the health of aquatic
animals in that EEA State. Diseases other than a listed disease referred to in Article 9(1)(d) of Regulation
(EU) 2016/429 include aquatic animal diseases not included in any of the categories of listed diseases under
Article 9(1) (‘non-listed diseases’).
(2) Article 226(2), (3) and (4) of the same Regulation requires Norway and Iceland to notify the EFTA Surveillance
Authority (‘the Authority’) in advance of any proposed national measures and provides that the Authority shall
approve such national measures where the establishment of movement restrictions between Norway or Iceland and
other EEA States is necessary in order to prevent the introduction, or control the spread, of the relevant disease,
taking into account the overall impact on the EEA of the disease in question and of the measures taken.
(3) Norwegian or Icelandic national measures approved pursuant to Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 should
apply only for as long as they continue to be appropriate and necessary in order to prevent the introduction, or
control the spread, of the relevant disease in the relevant country.
(4) Eradication programmes approved in accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 should lead to an
improvement in the disease situation within a reasonable period of time. The period of application of an eradication
programme approved in accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 should, therefore, not exceed
six years from the date of its initial approval by the Authority. This maximum period of application is laid down in
order to give an adequate period of time within which an eradication programme may be completed, whilst at the
same time preventing the disproportionate and long-lasting disruption of movements of aquatic animals within
the EEA.
(1) Incorporated into the EEA Agreement by Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 179/2020 of 11 December 2020.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/2025/879/oj 1/3EN
OJ L, 8.5.2025
(5) The Authority’s Delegated Decision No 203/21/COL of 16 July 2021 (‘Decision No 203/21/COL’) establishes, in
Annexes I and II thereto, lists of areas of Norway and Iceland regarded as being free from certain non-listed diseases
affecting aquatic animals, or which are subject to an eradication programme for those diseases.
(6) Norway has informed the Authority that Gyrodactylus salariswas confirmed in salmon fry in the river Bergerelva in
Buskerud County on 13 October 2024. Norway has consequently updated their eradication programme to include
this water catchment area. The Authority has, in accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429,
assessed the information provided by Norway and is satisfied that the measures taken are necessary and appropriate
to control the spread of the disease.
(7) The national measures taken by Norway are therefore approved by the Authority in accordance with Article 226(3)
of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. Annex II to Decision No 203/21/COL listing the areas of Norway and Iceland with
eradication programmes for certain diseases affecting aquatic animals and for which national measures are approved
in accordance with Article 226(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 should, therefore, be amended accordingly.
(8) On 21 February 2025, the Authority, by its Delegated Decision No 018/25/COL (Document No 1512719), duly
submitted the draft Decision to the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee in accordance with
Articles 226(3) and 266(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. On 25 February 2025, the EFTA Veterinary and
Phytosanitary Committee delivered a positive opinion on the draft Decision. Accordingly, the draft Decision is in
accordance with the opinion of the Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Annex II to Decision No 203/21/COL shall be replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.
A consolidated version of Decision No 203/21/COL shall be published on the Authority’s website.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its signature.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to Iceland and Norway.
Done at Brussels, 26 February 2025.
For the EFTA Surveillance Authority, acting under Delegation Decision No 130/20/COL,
Árni Páll ÁRNASON Melpo-Menie JOSÉPHIDÈS
Responsible College Member Countersigning as Director,
Legal and Executive Affairs
2/3 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/2025/879/ojEN
OJ L, 8.5.2025
ANNEX
Areas of Norway and Iceland with eradication programmes for certain diseases affecting aquatic
animals and for which national measures are approved in accordance with Article 226(3) of
Regulation (EU) 2016/429
No of EFTA
Surveillance
EEA EFTA Geographical demarcation of the area for which the national
Disease Code Authority Decision
State measures are approved
approving national
measure
Infection with Norway NO — The following water catchment areas in Møre and Romsdal: 203/21/COL as
Gyrodactylus Batnfjordselva, Driva, Litledalselva, Usma amended by
salaris(GS) (Øksendalselva) and Gylelva. Decisions
No 074/24/COL
— The following water catchment areas in Buskerud: and 019/25/COL
Drammenselva, Lierelva, Ebbestadelva and Bergerelva
— The following water catchment areas in Vestfold:
Vesleelva (Sandeelva) and Selvikvassdraget.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/2025/879/oj 3/3