7.2.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 36/59 COMMISSION DECISION of 6 February 2004 concerning certain protection measures in relation to avian influenza in several Asian countries (notified under document number C(2004) 389) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/122[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 ('), as last amended by Directive 96/43/ EC (3), and in particular Article 18(1) and (6) 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), (5) and (6) thereof, Whereas: (1) Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in poultry and birds, causing mortality and disturbances 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)  Avian influenza has been confirmed in several Asian countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China including the territory of Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. (3)  As of 3 February 2004 12 human cases of infection with the avian influenza virus strain have been reported in Vietnam and Thailand, some of which were fatal. (4)  The importation of live poultry and live ratites including their hatching eggs, which could pose a risk for disease introduction into the Community, is not authorised from any of these countries. (5)  Commission Decision 94/984/EC (*) lays down the health conditions and veterinary certificates for imports of fresh poultrymeat; Thailand and parts of the territory of the People's Republic of China are included in this Decision. 1 () OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. () OJL162,1.7.1996, p. L. () OJ L 24, 31.1.1998, p. 9. () OJ L 378, 31.12.1994, p. 11, as last amended by Decision 2002/ 477JEC (O] L 164, 22.6.2002, p. 39). (6)  Commission Decision 2000/609/EC (°) lays down animal and public health conditions and veterinary certificates for imports of fresh meat of farmed ratites; Thailand is included in this Decision. (7 Commission Decision 2000/572/EC (°) lays down animal and public health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of minced meat and meat preparations from third countries; Thailand and parts of the territory of the People's Republic of China are authorised under this Decision for imports into the Community of such products. (8)  Commission Decision 2000/585/EC () lays down animal and public health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of wild and farmed game meat and rabbit meat from third countries and Thailand is included in this Decision. (9)  Imports obtained from birds slaughtered after 1 January 2004 from Thailand to the Community of the following products: (a) fresh meat of poultry, ratites, wild and farmed feathered game; (b) meat preparations and meat products consisting of, or containing, meat of those species; (c) raw material for pet food production and of eggs for human consumption, have been suspended by Commission Decision 2004/84/EC (¥), and imports of these products are not authorised from any of the other countries mentioned above. (10) In accordance with Chapter 14(1)(B) of Annex I to Council Directive 92/118/EEC (only applicable until 30 April 2004) and with Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, the importation of unprocessed poultry manure can only be authorised from those third countries authorised to import into the Community fresh poultrymeat and therefore such imports will no longer be able to be authorised by these provisions. () OJ L 258, 12.10.2000, p. 49, as last amended by Decision 2003/ 573[EC (O] L 194, 1.8.2003, p. 89). () OJ L 240, 23.9.2000, p. 19. () OJ L 251, 6.10.2000, p. 1, as last amended by Decision 2002/646/ EC (O] L 211, 7.8.2002, p. 23). () OJ L 17, 24.1.2004, p. 57.