25.2.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 50/27 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 February 2003 amending Decision 2001/218/EC requiring Member States temporarily to take additional measures against the dissemination of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (the pine- wood nematode) as regards areas in Portugal, other than those in which it is known not to occur (notified under document number C(2003) 581) (2003/127[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (!), as last amended by Directive 2002/89/EC (3), and in particular Article 16(3) thereof, Whereas: (1)  The Commission adopted Decision 2001/218/EC of 12 March 2001, requiring Member States to take additional measures against the dissemination of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (the pinewood nematode, PWN) as regards areas in Portugal, other than those in which it is known not to occur (*), as amended by Decision 2002/124/EC (%). (2)  On the basis of a further assessment by the Food and Veterinary Office in April 2002 and additional informa- tion submitted by Portugal, it would appear that as a result of the application of an eradication programme, the spread of the PWN is still limited to the demarcated area in Portugal. However, trees showing symptoms of infestation by the PWN were still found during surveys of those areas. (3)  In official surveys carried out in 2002 by the other Member States on wood, isolated bark and plants of Abies Mill., Cedrus Trew, Larix Mill., Picea A. Dietr., Pinus L., Pseudotsuga Carr. and Tsuga Carr., originating in Portugal, none of the samples taken and analysed tested positive for the presence of the PWN. (4) It is therefore necessary for Portugal to continue to take specific measures and to present a mid-term eradication plan to control the spread of the PWN with the aim of eradicating it. It may also be necessary for the other Member States to continue to adopt additional measures to protect their territories from the PWN. The results of the specific measures and of the implementation of the mid-term plan shall be assessed continuously and amended when necessary. 1 () OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. () OJ L 355, 30.12.2002, p. 45. () OJ L 81, 21.3.2001, p. 34. () OJ L 45, 15.2.2002, p. 56. (5)  Specific arrangements should be made for the movement of chips made from symptomless trees or from trees which have tested negative for the presence of the PWN to areas in Portugal other than the demarcated area. (6)  The provisions on the notification of surveys for the PWN carried out in the Member States to other Member States and to the Commission should be clarified. (7)  Decision 2001/218/EC should therefore be extended for another limited period expiring on 31 March 2005 and amended accordingly. (8)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor- dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atrticle 1 Decision 2001/218/EC is amended as follows: 1. Article 2 is modified as follows: (i) in the first paragraph 28 February 2003’ is replaced by ‘31 March 2005 (ii) the following new paragraph shall be added after the second paragraph: ‘Portugal shall present by 15 March 2003 a mid-term eradication plan to control the spread of PWN with the aim of eradicating it.; 2. Article 4 is modified as follows: (i) in the first paragraph, ‘annual’ is inserted between ‘conduct official’ and ‘surveys for PWN; (ii) the second paragraph is replaced by: ‘Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 16(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC where the results of the surveys provided for in the first paragraph indicate the occur- rence of the PWN in areas where it was previously unknown, the results of such surveys shall be notified to the other Member States and the Commission by 15 November 2003 and 15 November 2004 respectively.’;