4.7.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L167/37 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION DECISION of 25 June 2003 concerning protection measures relating to Newcastle disease in Australia (notified under document number C(2003) 1948) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/489/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Whereas: Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European C it ommunity, (1)  Due to outbreaks of Newcastle disease in the States of 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) thereof, 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 (°), and in particular Article 18(1) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 91/494/EEC of 26 June 1991 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade and imports from third countries of fresh poultrymeat (%), as last amended by Directive 1999/89/EC (), and in particular Article 11(1), Article 12(2), Article 14(1) and Article 14a thereof, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption (), as amended by Commis- sion Regulation (EC) No 808/2003 (), and in particular Articles 28 and 29 thereof, () OJ L 24, 31.1.1998, p. 9. () OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. () OJL162,1.7.1996, p. 1. () OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 35. () OJL 300, 23.11.1999, p. 17. (9 OJ L 273,10.10.2002, p. 1. () OJL117,13.5.2003, p. 1. Victoria and New South Wales, the Commission adopted Decision 2002/537[EC (}), as amended by Decision 2002/942JEC (). (2)  That Decision prohibited the importation of live poultry and hatching eggs, live ratites and hatching eggs, fresh meat of poultry, ratites, wild and farmed feathered game, poultrymeat products and meat preparations consisting of or containing meat from the abovementioned species from Australia with certain derogations until 1 May 2003. (3)  No further cases of Newcastle disease have been reported and the Australian authorities have provided epidemiolo- gical information. (4)  However, as Decision 2002/537/EC has expired, and until the information provided by the Australian authori- ties has been fully assessed, it is necessary to continue a general suspension, subject to specific derogations, on the importation from the territory of Australia of live poultry and hatching eggs thereof, live ratites and hatching eggs thereof, fresh meat of poultry, ratites, farmed and wild feathered game, poultrymeat products and meat preparations consisting of or containing meat of the abovementioned species. ) OJ L 173, 3.7.2002, p. 33. () OJ L 325, 30.11.2002, p. 49.