(1)

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonotic vector-borne disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by a virus and representing a potential cross-border threat. RVF is characterised by high rates of abortion and neonatal mortality in domestic ruminants. In humans, the disease mainly develops as an influenza-like illness, where a minority of patients may develop encephalitis or even severe hepatic disease with haemorrhagic manifestations. RVF is on the list of notifiable animal diseases (2) of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

(2)

In March 2019, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a rapid risk assessment to address the risk of importation of RVF virus and further spread of the virus within the Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) in relation to the increase in cases reported in Mayotte (3). The assessment highlighted that, although the risk from these outbreaks was very low for the Union and the EEA in terms of introduction of RVF virus through the legal trade of animals and animal products, the illegal transport of fresh meat, unpasteurised milk and untreated products from infected ruminants in personal luggage could pose a risk. The ECDC concluded that if the virus was introduced into the continental part of the Union and the EEA, further vector-borne transmission among animals could not be excluded.

(3)

In addition, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted a scientific opinion on RVF on 23 January 2020 (4), indicating that the risk of spread of RVF into countries neighbouring the Union and the risk of possible introduction of infected vectors into the Union should not be ignored.

(4)

The risk of RVF entering the Union means that the Union should establish adequate surveillance and control measures against this disease, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), which establishes a legislative framework for the prevention and control of listed diseases. In accordance with the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 (6), RVF is considered as a category A, D and E disease, for which immediate eradication measures are to be taken as soon as it is detected.

(5)

The Union has in place adequate surveillance and disease control measures against RVF to ensure its immediate eradication if the disease enters into the Union. In order for these measures to continue being effective, they should also include appropriate preparedness and available resources to fight against the disease, taking also into account the zoonotic potential of the disease. In that respect, it is considered necessary to provide sufficient laboratory testing capacity, since the good quality of such testing capacity is essential to implement the surveillance and disease control measures and avoid, therefore, that the disease enters the Union.

(6)

So far, the Union has not established a European Union reference laboratory for RVF. The designation of a reference laboratory is essential to be able to apply surveillance and disease control measures on a scientific basis and in a homogeneous manner throughout the Union territory.

(7)

This Regulation should therefore establish a European Union reference laboratory for RVF to contribute to ensure the effectiveness of official controls and to coordinate assistance to official laboratories,