(1)

Commission Decision 2007/25/EC (2) lays down certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and movements of pet birds accompanying their owners into the Union. It was adopted in response to outbreaks of HPAI of subtype H5N1, with a view to protecting animal and human health in the Union and it applies until 31 December 2019.

(2)

Outbreaks of HPAI of different subtypes of H5 and more rarely of H7 viruses continue to occur worldwide in poultry and other captive birds. HPAI has become endemic in several third countries and has reached other third countries for the first time. The threat of the introduction of the HPAI virus into the Union via non-commercial movements of pet birds from third countries persists and therefore the risk mitigation measures laid down in Decision 2007/25/EC should be maintained.

(3)

A delegated act and an implementing act laying down animal health and certification requirements for the non-commercial movement of pet birds into the Union are currently being prepared under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. However, those two acts, which are intended to replace on a permanent basis the protection measures currently laid down in Decision 2007/25/EC, will not be adopted before 31 December 2019, namely the date of expiry of Decision 2007/25/EC.

(4)

Accordingly, in view of the global epidemiological situation as regards HPAI it is necessary to prolong the period of application of Decision 2007/25/EC until 31 December 2020, by which time the delegated act and implementing act, which lay down the requirements intended to replace those currently laid in Decision 2007/25/EC, should be adopted.

(5)

Decision 2007/25/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

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