12.4.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 103/29 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 7 April 2006 amending Decision 2006/115/EC concerning certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the Community (notified under document number C(2006) 1480) (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/277EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra- Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (*), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (), and in particular Article 10(4) thereof, Having regard to Regulation (EC) 998/2003 of 26 May 2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC (%), and in particular Article 18 thereof, Whereas: (1) Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease in poultry and birds, causing mortality and disturbances which can quickly take epizootic proportions liable to present a (") OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 13. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/41EC (O] L 157, 30.4.2004, p. 33). (®) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 29. 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). () O] L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 18/2006 (O] L 4, 7.1.2006, p. 3). serious threat to animal and public health and to reduce sharply the profitability of poultry farming. There is a risk that the disease agent might be spread from wild birds to domestic birds, notably poultry, and from one Member State to other Member States and third countries through the international trade in live birds or their products. (2)  Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza of the subtype virus H5NI are suspected or confirmed in several Member States. Taking into account the epidemiological situation,  the = Commission  adopted  Decision 2006/115/EC of 17 February 2006 concerning certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the Community and repealing  Decisions ~ 2006/86/EC, ~ 2006/90/EC, 2006/91/EC,  2006/94EC,  2006/104/EC  and 2006/105/EC (4. (3)  The specific measures provided for in this Decision should apply without prejudice to the measures to be taken by Member States in the framework of Council Directive 92/40/EEC of 19 May 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of avian influenza (°). (4  However, the measures provided for in Directive 92/40[EEC are minimum control measures and require supplementary provisions notably on the movement of certain birds and of products from poultry and other birds originating in the zone affected by the disease in wild birds. () O] L 48, 18.2.2006, p. 28. () OJ L 167, 22.6.1992, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EQ) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1).