1.

Zones A zone may comprise: an entire water catchment area from its source to its estuary; or part of a water catchment area from the source(s) to a natural or artificial barrier that prevents the upward migration of aquatic animals from lower stretches of the water catchment area; or more than one water catchment area, including their estuaries, due to the epidemiological link between the catchment areas through the estuary. The geographical demarcation of the zone shall be clearly identified on a map. Where a zone extends over more than one Member State, it may not be declared a disease-free zone unless the conditions outlined in points 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 apply to all areas of that zone. In that case both Member States concerned shall apply for approval for the part of the zone situated in their territory. A zone where susceptible species are present, but where there has not been any observed occurrence of the disease for at least a period of 10 years before the date of application for the disease-free status, despite conditions that are conducive to its clinical expression, may be considered disease-free if it complies mutatis mutandis with the requirements laid down in Part I.1. A Member State wishing to benefit from a disease-free status shall notify its intention in accordance with Article 50(2) before 1 November 2008. After this date, disease-free status may only be granted in accordance with Part I.2. A zone where the last known clinical occurrence was within a period of 10 years before the date of application for the disease-free status or where the infection status prior to targeted surveillance was unknown, for example because of the absence of conditions conducive to clinical expression, may be considered disease-free where it complies mutatis mutandis with the requirements laid down in Part I.2. A buffer zone in which a monitoring programme is carried out shall be established, as appropriate. The demarcation of the buffer zones shall be such that it protects the disease-free zone from passive introduction of the disease.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-02 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.