In April this year the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes adopted a Recommendation (a 15 page document) on the management of farmed ratites (ostriches, emus and rheas). In accordance with Article 9 of the Convention, the Recommendation will enter into force on 22 October 1997. Twenty-four Articles covering a variety of subjects: general provisions, biological characteristics of ratites, stockmanship and inspection, enclosures, buildings and equipment, management, changes in phenotype or genotype, killing and arrangements for review of the Recommendation. Appendices are included which cover topics to be included in the training of ratite farmers, technical details for the catching and handling of ratites, general provisions for ostriches, emus and rheas, and guidelines for size of bedding or fodder chop.