This document sets out official rules for the surveillance, control, and eradication of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). The rules apply to kept cattle intended for production and establish key definitions, reporting obligations, and institutional responsibilities, including mandatory disease notification, prohibition of treatment and vaccination, and centralized laboratory diagnostics carried out by the BIOR institute under official control.
The Regulation establishes a structured system for disease monitoring and response. The country operates either a national EBL surveillance program when the country holds EBL-free status, or an optional eradication program if that status is lost. Upon confirmation of an outbreak, affected holdings lose their EBL free status and face strict movement restrictions, compulsory slaughter of infected animals and their offspring, controlled handling of milk and animal products, and mandatory cleaning and disinfection under veterinary supervision. Operators bear responsibility for compliance, costs of testing, biosecurity, and sourcing replacement cattle only from EBL free holdings.
The document also details the criteria and procedures for granting, maintaining, suspending, restoring, or withdrawing EBL free status at holding level, as well as long term surveillance requirements while the country remains EBL free. These include post mortem inspections, periodic laboratory testing of cattle over 24 months of age based on epidemiological risk, enhanced rules for breeding bull stations, and EU level reporting obligations.