L 26/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 31.1.2003 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 28 January 2003 concerning protection measures relating to Newcastle disease in the United States of America and derogating from Commission Decisions 94/984/EC, 96/482[EC, 97/221/EC, 2000/572EC, 2000/585/ EC, 2000/609/EC and 2001/751/EC (2003/67[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 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 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 in and imports from third countries of fresh poultry- meat (%), and in particular Article 11(1), Article 12(2), Article 14(1) and Article 14a thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Commu- nity of products not subject to the said requirements () OJ L 24, 30.1.1998, p. 9. (*) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 56. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (O] L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 1). () OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 35. Directive as last amended by Directive 1999/89/EC (O] L 300, 23.11.1999, p. 17). laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A(l) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425[EEC (), and in particular Article 10(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission (), Whereas: (1) The veterinary authorities of the United States of America confirmed outbreaks of Newcastle disease since 1 October 2002 in poultry flocks in the State of Cali- fornia and in Nevada on 17 January 2003. (2)  Council Directive 82/894/EEC of 21 December 1982 on the notification of animal diseases within the Commu- nity () lists certain contagious animal diseases, such as Newecastle disease, which may endanger the Community animal health status, notably by their spread as a result of trade and imports. (3)  According to the provisions of Directives 97/78/EC and 91/496/EEC, measures shall be taken if, in the territory of a third country, a disease referred to in Directive 82/ 894/EEC or other diseases or any other phenomenon or circumstance liable to present a serious threat to animal or public health manifests itself or spreads. (*) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49. Directive as last amended by Directive 2002/33[EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 315, 19.11.2002, p. 14). () Proposal of 17.1.2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (®) OJ L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 58. Directive as last amended by Commis- sion Decision 2002[788EC (O] L 274, 11.10.2002, p. 33).