This Decree, in compliance with Council Directive 90/539/EEC, lays down animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade and imports from third countries of poultry and hatching eggs. The provisions of the Decree shall not apply to poultry for exhibitions, show or contests. In order to avoid the spread of contagious diseases within the Community, poultry and hatching eggs must satisfy certain animal health requirements. The Institute for Contagious and Parasitic Diseases in Thesalonica shall be the designated national reference laboratory to be responsible for coordinating the diagnostic methods provided for in this Decree and their use by the approved laboratories located in the national territory. The General Directorate of Veterinary Services (Ministry of Agriculture) shall be the competent authority for drawing up a voluntary or compulsory control programme for a disease to which poultry are susceptible and shall present the programme to the Commission. Regarding the rules for imports from third countries, entry into the national territory of poultry and hatching eggs must satisfy the requirements set forth in articles 20 up to 23 of the present Decree. Poultry and hatching eggs must have originated in a third country which is included on a list drawn up by the Commission. This list may be supplemented or amended in accordance with Decisions by the General Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry.