11.6.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 143/35 COMMISSION DECISION of 26 May 2003 approving an African swine fever diagnostic manual (notified under document number C(2003) 1696) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/422[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/60/EC of 27 June 2002 laying down specific provisions for the control of African swine fever and amending Directive 92/119/EEC as regards Teschen disease and African swine fever ('), and in particular Article 18(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) It is necessary pursuant to Directive 2002/60/EC to lay down uniform diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for the evaluation of the results of laboratory tests for the confirmation of African swine fever. (2)  In accordance with that Directive, the Community Refer- ence Laboratory for African swine fever is to coordinate, in consultation with the Commission, the methods employed in the Member States for diagnosing the disease, by organising, inter alia, periodic comparative tests and the supplying of standard reagents at Commu- nity level. (3)  African swine fever virus is not considered to be a hazard for human health. (4)  Laboratory tests have been developed to ensure rapid confirmation of African swine fever. (5)  The experience gained in the control of African swine fever in recent years has resulted in the identification of the most suitable sampling procedures and criteria for evaluation of laboratory test results for a proper diag- nosis of this disease in different situations. (6) It is therefore appropriate to approve the manual laying down those procedures and criteria. (7)  The national diagnostic laboratories should be authorised to modify the approved laboratory tests or use different tests, provided that equal sensitivity and specificity can be demonstrated. (8)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor- dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, () OJ L 192, 20.7.2002, p. 27. HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atrticle 1 1. The African swine fever diagnostic manual in the Annex is approved. 2. Member States shall ensure that the confirmation of African swine fever is carried out in accordance with the proce- dures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of labora- tory test results laid down in the manual and based on: (a) the detection of clinical signs and post-mortem lesions of disease; the detection of the virus, antigen or genome in samples of g 8 p pig tissues, organs, blood or excreta; () the demonstration of a specific antibody response in blood samples. 3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the national diagnostic laboratories referred to in Annex IV to Directive 2002/60/EC may apply modifications to the laboratory tests referred to in the manual, or use different tests, provided that an equal sensitivity and specificity can be demonstrated. If modified or different tests are applied, their sensitivity and specificity must be evaluated in the framework of the periodic comparative tests organised by the Community Reference Laboratory for African swine fever. Atticle 2 This Decision shall apply from 1 July 2003. Atticle 3 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 26 May 2003. For the Commission David BYRNE Member of the Commission