Bluetongue or bluetongue is a disease included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Sanitary Code for terrestrial animals and the list of notifiable diseases of the European Union, as part of Annex I. A to Royal Decree 526/2014 of 20 June, establishing the list of notifiable diseases and regulating their notification. The measures against this disease are regulated by Royal Decree 1228/2001 of 8 November establishing specific measures for the control and eradication of bluetongue or bluetongue, which incorporates the legal system of the Directive 2000 /75/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2000 laying down specific provisions concerning measures for the control and eradication of bluetongue. This Directive is developed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of 26 October 2007 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Directive 2000 /75/EC as regards monitoring, monitoring and monitoring of the surveillance and restrictions on the movement of certain animals of species susceptible to bluetongue.

The fight against the different serotypes of the bluetongue virus that have been detected in Spain has been carried out through a surveillance program, a vaccination program and the control of animal movements. sensitive. The adaptation of the programmes to combat the epidemiological evolution of the disease has been carried out by successive ministerial orders, the last of which was Order AAA/88/2015 of 29 January establishing specific measures of protection in relation to the blue tongue.

The recent epidemiological evolution of the disease has been marked by the finding, since September 2014, of the circulation of bluetongue virus serotype 4 outside the limits of the restricted zone for the disease. serotype 4 existing at that time, and the reintroduction of serotype 1 in the province of Cadiz, in November 2014.

In response to this new epidemiological situation, it was approved that Order AAA/88/2005 of 29 January, in order to extend the restriction zones for serotype 4, to extend the vaccination zones against serotypes 1 and 4 and establish requirements for movements of animals and genetic material of animal origin.

Spain has recently declared itself free of serotype 1 in the north and east of its peninsular territory on the basis of the requirements for the declaration of a free zone against a serotype established in Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of the Commission of 26 October 2007.

As provided for in Article 8.1.b of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of 26 October 2007, an assessment of the risk posed by the movement of susceptible animals in relation to the language has been carried out. blue. As a result of this evaluation, it has been estimated that the use of inactivated vaccines, as well as the seasonally free period, represent the most appropriate way to offer the necessary health guarantees in the movements of the species that potentially can spread the disease in our territory, within and between restricted areas and from these to the free zone.

Consequently, Order AAA/88/2015 of 29 January 2015 should be repealed in order to define the new zones of restriction against the bluetongue virus in Spain, to establish the mandatory vaccination zones for both serotypes, as well as conditions for movement within and between restricted zones and into new free zones.

In the procedure for drawing up this provision, the autonomous communities and sectors affected have been consulted.

In its virtue, and under the provisions of Article 8 of Law 8/2003 of 24 April of animal health, and in the final provision of Royal Decree 1228/2001 of 8 November of 8 November, laying down measures specific to the fight and eradication of bluetongue or bluetongue, I have:

Article 1. Object and scope of application.

The purpose of this order is to establish specific measures of protection against the bluetongue, of application to the entire national territory.

Article 2. Definitions.

1. For the purposes of this order, the definitions laid down in Article 3 of Law 8/2003 of 24 April of animal health, in Article 2 of Royal Decree 1228/2001 of 8 November laying down specific measures, shall apply. for the control and eradication of bluetongue or bluetongue and in Article 2 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of 26 October 2007 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Directive 2000 /75/EC as regards control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on the movement of certain animals of species susceptible to bluetongue.

2. In addition,

following definitions shall apply:

(a) Restricted zone against bluetongue virus serotype 4: The cities of Ceuta and Melilla and the provinces, districts and municipalities listed in Annex I.

(b) Restricted zone against bluetongue virus serotype 1: The cities of Ceuta and Melilla and the provinces, districts and municipalities listed in Annex II.

c) Free zone: Autonomous communities, provinces, districts and municipalities not included in the restricted zones against serotypes 1 and 4.

(d) Vaccinated exploitation: The holding where, during the last year, vaccination and revaccination have been carried out, in the case of primary vaccination, in accordance with the specifications of the vaccine and which has been reached all ovine and bovine animals over 3 months of age present on the holding at the date of vaccination. In the case of baiting, it shall also be understood that this is a vaccinated holding where the animals present have complied with the conditions of the movements referred to in this order.

(e) Vaccinated animal: The animal that has been vaccinated in the last year, and revaccinated in the case of primary vaccination, in accordance with the specifications of the vaccine.

Article 3. Requirements for intra-Community movements and towards the Canary and Balearic Islands of animals, their semen, ova and embryos of susceptible species from the restricted zones.

Animals, their semen, ova and embryos of susceptible species of holdings located in the restricted zones may be moved for life or slaughter directly to the free zone or to the territory of other Member States with the conditions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of the Commission of 26 October 2007.

Article 4. Requirements for the national movements of animals of susceptible species within and between the restricted zones, as well as from those to the free zone situated on peninsular territory.

1. The competent authority shall authorise the movement of animals of susceptible species within and between the restricted zones, as well as from those areas to the free zone situated on the Spanish peninsular territory for both life and slaughter. which do not show clinical signs of the disease, except in the case of:

(a) ovine or bovine animals from the respective vaccination zones referred to in Article 6 (1) and (2), in which case, outside the vector-free station, only movement shall be authorised. in the case of animals:

1. º Processed from vaccinated holdings, and

2. Vaccinated against the respective serotypes or animals less than 4 months from vaccinated mothers, and

3. Transports into vehicles that must be dislocated before loading.

(b) ovine or bovine animals located in the respective vaccination zones referred to in Article 6 (1) and (2) which come from restricted areas of other European Union countries, in which case they are authorise the removal of these animals in accordance with the conditions laid down in Annex III (A) (5) to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007, unless there is a bilateral agreement with the country of origin, in which case it is apply the conditions of such an agreement in which the health guarantees required of the movements of animals agreed by the competent authorities.

(c) Animals of species susceptible to bluetongue located in approved bodies, institutes and centres in accordance with Annex C to Royal Decree 1881/1994 of 16 September 1994 laying down the conditions for animal health requirements for intra-Community trade in and imports from third countries of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to the provisions of Section 1 of this Regulation. Annex A to Royal Decree 1316/1992 of 30 October 1992 for another body, institute or approved centre, in which case the competent authority shall authorise such movements in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 of 26 October 2007.

2. During the vector-free season, as defined in Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007, the movement of animals of susceptible species shall be permitted if they do not show clinical signs of the disease on the day of their transport, except for the animals referred to in points 1, b and 1, point c of this Article, which shall be moved in accordance with the conditions set out in those points respectively.

3. By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, in the case of animals of susceptible species which have moved from free zone to trade fairs, markets, concentration centres and trade operators or traders located in areas restricted as well as in the case of fighting bulls from free zones acting as overers or having been rejected in bull places located in restricted areas and not subject to their agreement, the competent authority shall authorise their movement from these installations within and between restricted zones, as well as from these to the free zone located in Spanish peninsular territory provided that the animals offer the following health guarantees:

a) Remain in the above facilities for a period of less than seven days.

b) Be protected from vector attack throughout your stay.

c) Do not have clinical symptoms of the disease on the day of your transport.

Article 5. Requirements for the national movements of semen, ova and embryos of susceptible species within and between restricted zones, as well as from these to the free zone situated on peninsular territory.

The competent authority shall authorise the movement of semen, ova and embryos of susceptible species within the restricted zones and between the restricted zones, as well as from the restricted zones to the free zone situated in the territory of the territory of the peninsular when they offer appropriate health guarantees on the basis of a favourable risk assessment with regard to measures against the spread of bluetongue virus and protection against vectors requiring the use of competent authorities of the place of origin and have been approved by the competent authorities of the place of destination, prior to the movement of those products.

Article 6. Vaccination of susceptible species.

1. Vaccination against serotype 1 of the bluetongue virus of animals of the ovine and bovine species over 3 months of age is mandatory in the case where those animals are located in the restricted zone against the established serotype 1 in Annex II.

2. Vaccination against bluetongue virus serotype 4 is mandatory for ovine and bovine animals over the age of 3 months in the case where those animals are located in the restricted zone against serotype 4 as set out in the Annex. I.

3. Four consecutive annual vaccination campaigns as provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be carried out from 2015 to 2018 inclusive.

It shall be the responsibility of the holder of the holding, through the appropriate authorised veterinarian, to carry out the vaccination provided for in this Article. The competent authority shall establish appropriate controls to ensure that the campaign is carried out correctly.

4. Without prejudice to points 1 and 2, the competent authority may apply special vaccination programmes on certain holdings which it considers to be of particular high risk for the transmission of the bluetongue virus.

5. Vaccination shall be carried out with the following requirements:

(a) In the case of bovine species, vaccination data (type of vaccine, serotype and date of application) shall be recorded in the database of the General Register of Individual Animal Identification (RIIA) established pursuant to Royal Decree 728/2007 of 13 June establishing and regulating the General Register of Livestock Movements and the General Register of Individual Identification of Animals.

(b) In the case of the ovine species, in those animals which must be electronically identified, according to Royal Decree 685/2013 of 16 September establishing a system for the identification and registration of animals of the ovine and caprine species, the data on vaccination (type of vaccine, serotype and date of application) shall be recorded in the RIIA database provided for in Royal Decree 728/2007 of 13 June. Where the animals are not identified electronically, the vaccination data shall be included in the log book of the holding.

(c) The competent authorities of the autonomous communities shall keep a register of the vaccinated animals, in which at least the year and month of the vaccination and successive vaccinations, the code of operation and the individual identification of the animals, where appropriate.

(d) The data necessary for the registration of the vaccination referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above shall be notified to the competent authority by the appropriate authorised veterinarian or, where appropriate, the holder of the exploitation, within a maximum of 7 days from the application of each vaccine dose.

e) In order to comply with the provisions of Article 11.2 of Royal Decree 1228/2001 of 8 November, the competent authorities of the autonomous communities shall forward to the Subdirectorate-General for Health and Hygiene Animal and Traceability of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, the vaccine programmes they intend to implement in their territory, in order to transfer it to the European Commission.

f) In all cases, vaccination will be carried out with inactivated vaccine. The animals must be vaccinated in accordance with the dose application protocol collected in the marketing authorisation for the vaccine.

Article 7. Sanctioning regime.

In the event of non-compliance with the provisions of this order, the regime of infringements and penalties provided for in Law 8/2003 of 24 April, without prejudice to any possible civil, criminal or criminal liability, shall apply. other order that may be present.

Single additional disposition. Modification of restricted zones.

The restriction zones shall consist of an area of at least 50 km radius from the infected holding. This zone may be modified taking into account the geographical situation and the ecological factors, the meteorological conditions, the presence and distribution of the vector, the historical data for the distribution of the disease.

The Director General of Agricultural Production Health is hereby authorised to amend by resolution, which shall be published in the BOE, the restricted areas of the Annex of this order on the basis of the notifications received from the communities. standalone.

Single repeal provision. Regulatory repeal.

Order AAA/88/2015 of 29 January 2015 establishing specific protection measures in relation to the bluetongue is hereby repealed.

Final disposition first. Competence title.

This order is dictated by the provisions of article 149.1, Rule 16, first indent, of the Spanish Constitution, which attributes to the State exclusive competence in the field of bases and general coordination of health.

Final disposition second. Entry into force.

This order shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Madrid, July 14, 2015. -Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Isabel García Tejerina.

ANNEX I

Restricted zone versus bluetongue virus serotype 4

The following territories shall be considered to be restricted to bluetongue virus serotype 4:

1. In the Autonomous Community of Andalusia:

a) Provinces of Cordoba, Cadiz, Huelva, Malaga and Seville.

b) In the province of Jaen: The veterinary districts of Alcala la Real, Huelma, Ubeda, Linares, Andujar, Jaen and Santiesteban del Puerto.

c) In the province of Granada: the veterinary region of Motril (Costa de Granada).

2. In the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha: The provinces of Toledo and Ciudad Real.

3. In the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León:

a) In the province of Avila: The veterinary districts of Arenas de San Pedro, Candeleda, Cebreros, El Barco de Avila, Las Navas del Marques, Navaluenga and Sotillo de la Addrada.

b) In the province of Salamanca: the veterinary districts of Bejar and Sekeros.

4. The Autonomous Community of Extremadura.

5. In the Autonomous Community of Madrid: The veterinary districts of Aranjuez, Arganda del Rey, Alcalá de Henares, Colmenar Viejo, El Escorial, municipality of Madrid, carnero, San Martín de Valdeiglesas, Torrelaguna and Villarejo de Salvanes.

ANNEX II

Restricted zone versus bluetongue virus serotype 1

a) In the Autonomous Community of Andalusia:

1. The provinces of Cádiz, Córdoba, Huelva, Malaga, and Seville.

2. In the province of Granada: the region of Motril.

3. In the province of Jaén: the veterinary districts of Alcala la Real, Andujar, Huelma, Jaén, Linares, Santiesteban del Puerto and Ubeda.

(b) In the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha:

1. In the province of Toledo:

1. The veterinary districts of Belvis de la Jara and Oropesa.

2. In the veterinary district of Morales: The municipality of San Bartolomé de las Arolos.

3. In the veterinary region of Talavera de la Reina: The municipalities of Almendral de la Cañada, Buenaventura, Calera y Chozas, Castillo de Bayuela, Cazalegas, Cervera de los Montes, El Real de San Vicente, Hinojosa de San Vicente, Marrupe, Mejorada, Montesclaros, Navamorcuende, Pepino, La Castiuela, La Puebulanueva, Las Herencias, San Román de los Montes, Sartajada, Segurilla, Sotillo de las Palomas, Talavera de la Reina and Velada.

2. In the province of Ciudad Real: The veterinary districts of Almadén, Almodóvar del Campo and Piedrabuena (former regions of Piedrabuena and Horcajo de los Montes).

c) In the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León:

1. In the province of Ávila: The veterinary region of Candeleda.

2. º In the province of Salamanca: The veterinary region of Sequeros.

d) In the Autonomous Community of Extremadura:

1. In the province of Badajoz: The veterinary districts of Azuaga, Don Benito, Castuera, Herrera del Duque, Jerez de los Caballeros and Zafra.

2. In the province of Cáceres:

1. The veterinary districts of Coria, Logroman (Zorita), Plasencia and Valencia de Alcantara.

2. In the veterinary region of Cáceres: the municipalities of Garrovillas, Hinojal, Monroy, Santiago de Campo and Talavan.

3. In the veterinary region of Moral Morale: the municipalities of Aldeanueva de la Vera, Almaraz, Belvis de Monroy, Berrocalejo, Bohonal of Ibor, Carrascalejo, Casatejada, Collado, Cuacos de Yuste, El Gordo, Garganta la Olla, Guijo de Santa Bárbara, Jaraiz de la Vera, Jarandilla de la Vera, Losar de la Vera, Madrigal de la Vera, Majadas, Mesas de Ibor, Millanes, Moral de la Mata, Peraleda de la Mata, Robleblillo de la Vera, Romangordo, Rosalejo, Saucedilla, Serrejón, Talaveruela de la Vera, Talayuela, Toril, Torremenga, Valdecanas de Tajo, Valdelacasa del Tajo, Valdehuncar, Valverde de la Vera, Viandar de la Vera, Villanueva de la Vera and Villar del Pedroso.