ESA approves Norway’s measures to control and eradicate Gyrodactylus salaris

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved Norway's national measures for Gyrodactylus salaris under the new EEA rules on animal health. The decision adopted by ESA also establishes a new framework for any future approval of other national measures in Iceland and Norway aimed at preventing introduction and controlling the spread of certain diseases that constitute a significant risk for the health of aquatic animals.

On 21 April 2021, the new EEA animal health regulation entered into force, establishing a framework for the prevention and control of diseases transmissible to animals or humans.

Where a disease, other than those listed in the regulation, constitutes a significant risk for the health of animals, Iceland and Norway may take national measures to prevent the introduction, or to control the spread, of that disease. National measures must be sent to ESA in advance to be approved.

Today's decision establishes two lists for national measures:

• A list of areas in Norway and Iceland that are free from particular diseases
• A list of areas not free from disease, but where there is an approved eradication programme in effect

At present, the lists set out in the annexes to ESA's Decision only contain Norway's national measures related to G.salaris.
To allow ESA to regularly assess the appropriateness and necessity of the measures, and to provide an opportunity to amend them if necessary, Norway and Iceland must send an annual report to ESA detailing the functioning of the measures in the previous year.

Read ESA's decision here.