L 275/20 Official Journal of the European Union 25.8.2004 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 August 2004 concerning protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Republic of South Africa (notified under document number C(2004) 3293) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/614[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675[/EEC(!), and in particular Article 18(6) and (7) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (%), and in particular Article 22(1) and (6) thereof, Whereas: (1) Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease in poultry and birds, which can quickly take epizootic proportions liable to present a serious threat to animal and public health and to reduce sharply the profitability of poultry farming. (2)  There is a risk that the disease agent might be introduced via international trade in live poultry and poultry products. (3) On 6 August 2004 the Republic of South Africa has confirmed two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in ratite flocks in the Eastern Cape Province. (4)  This detected avian influenza virus strain is of subtype H5N2 and therefore different from the strain currently causing the epidemic in Asia. Current knowledge suggests that the risk for public health in relation to this subtype is inferior to the risk of the strain circulating in Asia, which is an H5N1 virus subtype. (") OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. Directive as last amended by the 2003 Act of Accession. (®» OJ L 24, 31.1.1998, p. 9. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) 8822004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 165, 30.4.2004 p. 1). (5) At this moment for poultry and poultry products, the Republic of South Africa is only authorised to export to the Community live ratites and their hatching eggs and fresh meat from ratites and meat products/meat preparations containing ratite meat, as well as birds other than poultry. (6)  However the competent authorities of the Republic of South Africa suspended certification of live ratites and their meat and certain meat products to the EU on 6 August 2004 until the situation becomes clearer. (7)  In view of the animal health risk of disease introduction into the Community, imports of live ratites, and hatching eggs of these species and fresh meat of ratites, meat preparations and meat products consisting of, or containing meat of those species, obtained from birds slaughtered after 16 July 2004, have been suspended from the Republic of South Africa as of 10 August 2004 by Commission Decision 2004/594/EC (3). (8) In accordance with Commission Decision 2000/666EC () importation of birds other than poultry is authorised from all member countries of the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) subject to animal health guarantees provided by the country of origin, and to strict post-import quarantine measures implemented in the Member States. (99  However, the importation of birds other than poultry, including pet birds accompanying their owners has also been suspended from the Republic of South Africa by Decision 2004/594/EC as an additional measure in order to exclude any possible risk for disease occurrence in quarantine stations under the authority of the Member States. () O] L 265, 12.8.2004, p. 9. () OJ L 278, 31.10.2000, p. 26. Decision as last amended by Decision 2002/279[EC (O] L 99, 16.4.2002, p. 17).