No L 76/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 3. 97 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 February 1997 amending Decision 96/659/EC on protective measures in relation to Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever in South Africa (Text with EEA relevance) (97/183/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 or- ganization of veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries and amending Dir- ectives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC ('), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (3, and in particular Article 18 (7) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (*), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC and in particular Article 19 (7) thereof, Whereas the presence of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever has been confirmed in South Africa; Whereas Commission Decision 96/659/EC (%) prohibited the importation of live ratites, and meat of ratites from South Africa until the situation was clarified; Whereas new scientific research has permitted the risk relating to the importation of live ratites and meat of ratites to be clarified; whereas Commission Decision 96/659/EC can now be amended to take account of the knowledge gained; Whereas, however, it is now appropriate to extend the decision to cover all areas where this disease is likely to occur; Whereas Chapter III of Council Directive 91/494/EEC (%) sets out the general animal health rules for the importa- tion of poultry meat from third countries; whereas detailed veterinary conditions and certificates have not yet been adopted in the case of meat from ratites; Whereas Chapter III of Council Directive 90/539/EEC (¥) sets out the general animal health rules for the importa- No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 56. No L 162, 1. 7. 1996, p. 1. No L 373, 31. 12. 1990, p. 1. No L 302, 26. 11. 1996, p. 27. No No . NN N L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 35. L 303, 31. 10. 1990, p. 6. ASQAAA 222288 > = tion of live poultry from third countries; whereas detailed veterinary conditions and certificates have not yet been adopted in the case of ratites; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Commission Decision 96/659/EC is amended as follows: 1. In the title, the words ‘in South Africa’ are deleted. 2. In Article 1 the words ‘South Africa’ are replaced by the words ‘countries in Asia and Africa’. 3. Article 2 is replaced by the following: Article 2 1. In derogation to Article 1 above, Member States may authorise the importation of ratite meat provided that, in addition to the requirements of Council Dir- ective 91/494/EEC, the provisions in Annex I are complied with. 2. In derogation to Article 1 above, Member States may authorise the importation of ratites provided that, in addition to the requirements of Council Directive 90/539/EEC, the provisions in Annex II are complied with 4. Article 3 is deleted. 5. The following Annexes I and II are added: ANNEX I RATITE MEAT The competent authority shall ensure that the ratites are isolated in rodent-proof, tick-free surroundings for at least 14 days prior to slaughter. Before moving to the tick-free surroundings, the birds shall either be examined to verify that they are tick- free or treated to ensure that all ticks on them are