EN    EN EN 
SANCO/10190/2007 Rev. 5 (POOL/D1/2007/10190/10190R5-EN.doc)  
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels,  
C(2008) final 
Draft 
COMMISSION DECISION 
of 
on imports of semen, ova and embryos of  the ovine and caprin e species into the 
Community as regards lists of third count ries and of semen collection centres and 
embryo collection teams, and certification requirements 
(Memorandum from Ms A.VASSILIOU)  
EN 2   EN Draft 
COMMISSION DECISION 
of 
on imports of semen, ova and embryos of  the ovine and caprin e species into the 
Community as regards lists of third count ries and of semen collection centres and 
embryo collection teams, and certification requirements 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty esta blishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Council Dire ctive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health 
requirements governing trade in and imports into  the Community of animals, semen, ova and 
embryos not subject to animal health require ments laid down in specific Community rules 
referred to in Annex A(I) to Directive 90/425/EEC1, and in particular  Article 17(2)(b), 
Article 17(3), the first indent of  Article 18(1), and the introductory phrase  and point (b) of 
Article 19 thereof,   
Whereas: (1) Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health requirements governing trade in and 
imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to the 
animal health requirements laid down in the specific Community acts referred to therein. It also provides for the establishment of a list of those thir d countries or parts 
of third countries, able to provide guarant ees equivalent to those provided for in 
Chapter II therein, from which Member Stat es may import semen, ova and embryos of 
the ovine and caprine species.  
(2) Directive 92/65/EEC also provides for the es tablishment of a list of semen and embryo 
collection centres in third count ries, for which those third count ries are able to give the 
guarantees referred to in Artic le 11 of that Directive. 
(3) However, as regards collection centres for ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine 
species, for the sake of cons istency of Community legislat ion, and taking into account 
international nomenclature, it is more appropriate to use the term "embryo collection teams" instead of "collection centres" in that case.  
                                                
 
1 OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54. Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 2007/265/EC 
(OJ L 114, 1.5.2007, p. 17).  
EN 3   EN (4) Directive 92/65/EEC provides  that semen, ova and embryos  of the ovine and caprine 
species to be imported into the Community are to be accompanied by health certificates, models of which are to be esta blished in accordance with that Directive.  
(5) Directive 92/65/EEC also provides for the es tablishment of the specific animal health 
requirements or guarantees equivalent to t hose provided for in that Directive, for 
imports into the Community of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species. 
(6) Commission Decision 94/63/EC  of 31 January 1994 drawing up a list of third 
countries
 from which Member States authorise imports of semen, ova and embryos of 
the ovine and caprine species and ova and embryos of the porcine species2 provides 
that Member States are to authorise impor ts of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine 
and caprine species from the third countries  appearing in the lis t in the Annex to 
Council Decision 79/542/EEC3, from which imports of live animals of the ovine and 
caprine species are authorised. 
(7) Decision 94/63/EC has now been  repealed by Decision 2008/XXX/EC4.  
(8) Accordingly, a list of third countries  from which Member States authorise imports of 
semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and capri ne species should be established by this 
Decision. 
(9) The lists of semen collection centres and embryo collection teams from which 
Member States are to authorise the imports  of semen, ova and embryos of the ovine 
and caprine species, originati ng in third countrie s, should also be established by this 
Decision.  
(10) Article 17(3) of Directive 92/65/EEC provides for the procedure of amendments to the 
lists of semen collection centres and em bryo collection teams from which Member 
States are to authorise the imports of seme n, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine 
species. The amended lists are to be p ublished on the website of the Commission5. 
(11) In the interests of consiste ncy of Community legislati on, the requirem ents governing 
intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals for breeding, and the specific test 
regimes for those animals, set out in C ouncil Directive 91/68/EEC  of 28 January 1991 
on animal health conditions governing intra-Community tr ade in ovine and caprine 
animals6, should be taken into account in the model health certificate for imports of 
semen of the ovine and caprine sp ecies set out in this Decision. 
                                                 
2 OJ L 28, 2.2.1994, p. 47. Decision as last amended by Decision 2004/211/EC (OJ L 73, 11.3.2004, 
p. 1). 
3 OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15. Decision as last amended by Decision 2008/61/EC (OJ L 15, 18.1.2008, 
p. 33). 
4 SANCO/10275/2007-Rev. 1. 
5 http://circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/semen/semen.html   
6 OJ L 46, 19.2.1991, p. 19. Council Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/104/EC (OJ L 363, 
20.12.2006, p. 352).  
EN 4   EN (12) The animal health conditions for the importa tion into the Community  of animals of the 
ovine and caprine species intended for breed ing are laid down in Council Decision 
79/542/EEC. Those requirements should also be taken into acc ount in the model 
health certificate for imports of semen of th e ovine and caprine species set out in this 
Decision. 
(13) Certain infectious diseases of animal s of the ovine and caprine species are 
transmissible via semen. Therefore, particul ar animal health tests identifying such 
diseases must be carried out according to specific test programmes reflecting the movements of the donors prior to, and duri ng, the period of semen collection. Those 
tests and test programmes shoul d be in line with internati onal standards and therefore 
indicated in the model health certificate for imports of semen of the ovine and caprine 
species set out in this Decision. 
(14) Account should also be taken of the provi sions of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the 
European Parliament and of the Counc il of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the 
prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform 
encephalopathies
7 and of Commission Regulatio n (EC) No 546/2006 of 31 March 
2006 implementing Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council as regards national scrapie co ntrol programmes and additional guarantees 
and derogating from certain requirements  of Decision 2003/100/ EC and repealing 
Regulation (EC) No 1874/20038. 
(15) Sanitary conditions for the collection, pro cessing, storage and transport of ova and 
embryos and the health conditions applied to donor females are laid down in Chapters III and IV of Annex D to Directiv e 92/65/EEC. However, it is necessary to 
provide for additional guarantees, in particul ar as regards the official veterinary 
supervision of embryo collec tion teams in this Decision. 
(16) In the interests of cl arity of Community legislation, it is  appropriate to set out in this 
Decision a list of third c ountries and approved semen co llection centres from which 
Member States are to authorise imports into  the Community of se men of the ovine and 
caprine species, a list of third countries  and approved embryo collection teams from 
which Member States are to authorise imports into the Community of ova and 
embryos of those species, a nd the certification requirements relating to such imports in 
order to gather all these requirements under a single act. 
                                                
 
7 OJ L 147, 31.5.2001, p. 1; Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 21/2008 (OJ L 9, 
12.1.2008, p. 3). 
8 OJ L 94, 1.4.2006, p. 28.  
EN 5   EN (17) In the application of the present Decisi on, account should be taken of the specific 
certification requirements provided for in poi nt 7(b) of Chapter IX(B) of Appendix 2 
of Annex 11 to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss 
Confederation on trade in Agricultural Products9, as approved by Decision 
2002/309/EC, Euratom of the Council, a nd of the Commission as regards the 
Agreement on Scientific and Technologi cal Cooperation, of 4 April 2002 on the 
conclusion of seven Agreements with the Swiss Confederation10. Therefore, for 
consignments of semen, ova or embryos of ovine or caprine species from Switzerland 
to the Community, the certificates provided for in Commission Decision 95/388/EC of 
19 September 1995 determining the specimen cer tificate for intra-Community trade in 
semen, ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine species11 should apply, as adopted in 
accordance with that Decision. 
(18) In application of the present Decision, account should be taken of the specific 
certification requirements and model health attestations which may be laid down in 
accordance with the Agreement between  the European Community and the 
Government of Canada on sanitary measures  to protect public and animal health in 
respect of trade in live animals and animal products12, as approved by Council 
Decision 1999/201/EC of 14 December 199813. 
(19) In application of the present Decision, account  should also be taken of the specific 
certification requirements and model health attestations which may be laid down in 
accordance with on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European 
Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products
14, as approved by Council Decision 97/132/EC of 17 December 
199615. 
(20) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the 
Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
Imports of semen 
The Member States shall authorise imports of semen of the ovine and caprine species, 
collected in a third country and in an approved semen collection centre, listed in Annex I, and 
complying with the animal health requirements set out in the model health certificate in 
Annex II.  
                                                 
9 OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 132. 
10 OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 1. 
11 OJ L 234, 3.10.1995, p. 30. Decision as amended by Decision 2005/43/EC (OJ L 20, 22.1.2005, p. 35). 
12 OJ L 71, 18.3.1999, p. 3. 
13 OJ L 71, 18.3.1999, p. 1.  
14 OJ L 57, 26.2.1997, p. 4. Decision as amended by Decision 1999/837/EC (OJ L 332, 23.12.1999, p. 1). 
15 OJ L 57, 26.2.1997, p. 4 .   
EN 6   EN Article 2 
Imports of ova and embryos 
The Member States shall authorise imports of  ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine 
species, collected in a third country and by an approved embryo coll ection team, listed in 
Annex III, and complying with the animal health requirements set out in the model health certificate in Annex IV.  
Article 3 
Applicability 
This Decision shall appl y from 1 September 2008.  
Article 4 
Addressees 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels,  
 For the Commission 
 Androulla VASSILIOU  Member of the Commission  
EN 7   EN ANNEX I  
List of third countries and approved semen collection centres from which imports of semen of the ovine and caprine species are authorised by Member 
States 
Remarks 
ISO 
Code Name of the third 
country Approval 
number of the 
centre Name of the centre Address of the centre Date of 
approval of the 
centre Description of the territory  
(if appropriate ) Additional guarantees 
AU Australia      The additional guarantees as 
regards testing set out in points 
II.4.8 and II.4.9 of the certificate in 
Annex II are compulsory. 
CA Canada      Territory as described in Part 1 of 
Annex I to Council Decision 
79/542/EEC16 (as last amended). The additional guarantee as 
regards testing set out in point 
II.4.8 of the certificate in Annex II 
is compulsory. 
CH Switzerland       
CL Chile       
GL Greenland       
HR Croatia       
IS Iceland       
NZ New Zealand        
PM Saint Pierre and 
Miquelon       
US United States     
 The additional guarantee as 
regards testing set out in point II.4.8 of the certificate in Annex II 
is compulsory. 
 
                                                 
16 OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15.   
EN 8   EN Notes  
(a) Veterinary certificates shall be produced by the 
exporting country, based on the model appearing in 
Annex II. They shall contain, in the numbered 
order that appears in the m odel, the attestations that 
are required for any third country and, as the case 
may be, those supplementary  guarantees that are 
required for the exporting third country as 
indicated in Annex I. 
If so requested by the EU Member State of 
destination, the additional certification 
requirements shall be also incorporated in the 
original form of the veterinary certificate. 
(b) The original of each certificate shall consist of a 
single page, both sides, or, where more text is 
required; it shall be in such a form that all pages 
needed are part of an integrated whole and 
indivisible. 
(c) It shall be drawn up in at  least one of the official 
languages of the EU Member State in which the 
inspection at the border post shall be carried out 
and of the EU Member State of destination. 
However, these Member States may allow another 
Community language instead of their own, 
accompanied, if necessary, by an official 
translation. 
(d) If for reasons of identification of the items of the 
consignment (schedule in point I.28 of the model 
of certificate), additional pages are attached to the 
certificate, these pages shall also be considered as 
forming part of the original of the certificate by the 
application of the signa ture and stamp of the 
certifying official veterinarian, on each of the 
pages. 
(e) When the certificate, including additional 
schedules referred to in d), comprises more than 
one page, each page shall be numbered – (page 
number)  of (total number of pages) – on its bottom 
and shall bear the code number of the certificate 
that has been designated by the competent 
authority on its top. (f) The original of the certificate must be completed 
and signed by an official veterinarian the last 
working day prior to loading of the consignment for 
exportation to the Community. In doing so, the 
competent authorities of the exporting country shall 
ensure that principles of certification equivalent to 
those laid down in Counc il Directive 96/93/EC are 
followed. 
The colour of the signature shall be different to that 
of the printing. The same rule applies to stamps 
other than those embossed or watermark. 
(g) The original of the certificate must accompany the 
consignment until it reaches the EU border 
inspection post. 
(h) The certificate shall be valid for 10 days from the 
date of issuing. In the case of transport by ship the 
time of validity is prolonged by the time of the trip 
in the ship. 
(i) Semen and embryos shall not be transported in the 
same container together  with other semen and 
embryos that, either is/are not destined to the 
European Community, or is/are of a lower health 
status. 
(j) During its transport to the European Community, 
the container shall remain closed and the seal shall 
not be unbroken. 
(k) The certificate reference number referred to in 
boxes I.2 and II.a. must be issued by the competent 
authority.  
EN 9   EN ANNEX II  
Model health certificate for import of semen of the ovine and caprine species 
COUNTRY:  Veterinary certificate to EU
I.1. Consignor I.2. Certificate reference number
Name
I.3. Central Competent Authority
Address
I.4. Local Competent Authority
Tel.N°
I.5. Consignee I.6. Person responsible for the load in EU
Name Name
Address Address
Postal code Postal code
Tel.N° Tel.N°
I.7.Country of origin  ISO code I.8. Region of origin Code I.9. Country of destination  ISO code I.10. Region of destination Code
I.11. Place of origin I.12. Place of destination
Name Approval number Name
Address Address
Name Approval number
Address
Name Approval number Postal code
Address
I.13. Place of loading I.14. Date of departure
I.15. Means of transport I.16. Entry BIP in EU 
Aeroplane Ship Railway wagon
Road vehicle Other
Identification:
Documentary references:
I.18. Description of commodity I.19. Commodity code (HS code)
05 11 99 90
I.20.Quantity
I.22. Number of packages
I.23. Identification of container/Seal number
I.25. Commodities certified for:
Artificial reproduction
I.26. For transit through EU to 3rd Country I.27. For import or admission into EU
3rd country  ISO code
I.28. Identification of the commodities
Species (Scientific name) Identification mark Approval number of the centre QuantityI.21.
I.24.Part I : Details of dispatched consignment I.2.a
I.17.
  
EN 10   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine semen  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
 Part II: Certification 
 
 
 
 I, the undersigned, official vete rinarian, hereby certify that: 
II.1. the exporting country …………………………………………………………………………… 
(name of exporting country) (2) 
II.1.1. has been free from rinderpest, peste des pe tits ruminants, sheep and goat pox, contagious 
caprine pleuropneumonia and Rift Valley feve r during the 12 months immediately prior to 
collection of the semen to be exported and up until its date of dispatch and no vaccination 
against these diseases took place during that period; 
II.1.2. has been free from foot-and-mouth diseas e during the 12 months immediately prior to 
collection of the semen to be exported and up until its date of dispatch and no vaccination 
against this disease took place during that period; 
II.2. the centre at which the semen to be exported was collected and stored: 
II.2.1. meets the conditions laid down in Ch apter I(I) of Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC; 
II.2.2. is operated and supervised in accordance  with the conditions laid down in Chapter I(II) of 
Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC; 
II.3. the ovine/caprine(1) animals standing at the semen collection centre: 
II.3.1. prior to their stay in the quarantin e accommodation described in point II.3.2,  
 (1)(4)either  [II.3.1.1. originate from the territory describe d under point I.8, which has been recognised as
 officially brucellosis ( B. melitensis )-free, and] 
(1)or [II.3.1.1. have belonged to a holding which has obtained and maintained its officially 
brucellosis ( B. melitensis )-free status in accordance with  Directive 91/68/EC, and] 
(1)or [II.3.1.1. originate from a holding, where in respect of brucellosis ( B. melitensis ) all 
susceptible animals have been free from clinical or any signs of this disease for the last 
12 months, none of the ovine and caprine anim als have been vaccinated against this 
disease, save those vaccinated with Rev. 1 vaccine more than two years ago, and all 
ovine and caprine animals over six months of age have been subjected to at least two 
tests(3), carried out with negative re sults on samples taken on ……………. ( date) and 
on …………. ( date) at least six months apart, the la tter being within 30 days of entry 
into the quarantine accommodation, and] 
have not been kept previously in a holding of a lower status;  
II.3.1.2. have been kept continuously for at  least 60 days on a holding where no case of 
contagious epididymitis ( Brucella ovis ) has been diagnosed in the last 12 months, 
(1)and [and ovine animals have undergone during th e 60 days prior to their stay in the 
quarantine accommodation described in point II.3.2 a complement fixation test, or any 
other test with an equivalent documented sensitivity and specificity, to detect 
contagious epididymitis with result of less than 50 IU/ml;] 
II.3.1.3. to the best of my knowledge and acco rding to the written declaration made by the 
owner do not come from holdings, and have not  been in contact with animals of a 
holding, in which any of the following diseases  have been clinically detected within the 
stated periods prior to their stay in the quarantine accommodation described in point 
II.3.2: 
(a) contagious agalactia of sheep or goats ( Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma 
capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides var. mycoides " large colony"), within the 
last six months, 
(b) paratuberculosis and caseous lym phadenitis, within the last 12 months, 
(c) pulmonary adenomat osis, within the last three years; and 
(1)either  [(d) Maedi/Visna for sheep or caprine vira l arthritis/encephalitis for goats, within 
the last three years;] 
(1)or [(d) Maedi/Visna for sheep or caprine vira l arthritis/encephalitis for goats, within 
the last 12 months, and all the infected animals were slaughtered and remaining 
animals subsequently reacte d negatively to two tests carried out at least six 
months apart;] 
II.3.1.4. are included in an official system fo r notification of diseases mentioned in point 
II.3.1.3; 
 
  
EN 11   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine semen  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
II.3.2. have satisfied the quarantine isolation period of at least 28 days  and within that period, and at 
least 21 days after being adm itted to the quarantine accommodation, have undergone with 
negative results the tests, carried out by the la boratory approved by the competent authority of 
the exporting country, for: 
– brucellosis ( B. melitensis ) in accordance with Annex C to Directive 91/68/EEC;  
–  ovine epididymitis ( Brucella ovis ), in the case of sheep only, in accordance with Annex 
D to Directive 91/68/EEC, or any other test w ith an equivalent documented sensitivity 
and specificity; 
–  Border disease virus; 
II.3.3. have undergone at least once a year th e routine tests with negative results for: 
–  brucellosis ( B. melitensis ) in accordance with Annex C to Directive 91/68/EEC; 
– ovine epididymitis ( Brucella ovis)  in accordance with Annex D to Directive 
91/68/EEC, or any other test with an equivalent documented sensitivity and specificity; 
in the case of sheep only; 
II.4. the semen to be exported wa s obtained from donor rams/bucks(1) which: 
II.4.1. show no clinical signs of dis ease on the day the semen was collected; 
 (1)either [II.4.2. have not been vaccinat ed against foot-and-mouth diseas e during the 12 months prior to 
collection of the semen;] 
 (1)or [II.4.2. have been vacc inated against foot-and-mouth diseas e between 7 and 12 months prior to 
collection, and 5 % (with a minimum of five straws) of each collection have been submitted to 
a virus isolation test for foot-and-m outh disease with negative results;] 
II.4.3. have been kept at an approved semen colle ction centre for a continuous period of at least 
30 days immediately prior to collec tion of the semen, in the case of collections of fresh semen; 
II.4.4. have not served naturally after their entry to the quarantine accommodation described in point 
II.3.2 and up to and including the day of semen collection; 
II.4.5. have been kept at the approved semen collection centres  
II.4.5.1. which have been free from foot-and-mout h disease for at least three months prior to 
collection of the semen and 30 days after collection or, in the case of fresh semen, until 
the date of dispatch, and which are situated  in the centre of an area of 10 kilometres 
radius in which there has been no case of foot-and-mouth disease fo r at least 30 days 
prior to collection of the semen; 
II.4.5.2. which have been free, during the pe riod commencing 30 days prior to collection and 
ending 30 days after collection of the semen or, in the case of fresh semen, until the 
date of dispatch, from brucellosis ( B. melitensis ), contagious epididymitis ( B. ovis ), 
anthrax and rabies; 
 (1)either [II.4.6. have remained in the exporting country for at least the last six months prior to collection of the 
semen to be exported;] 
 (1)or [II.4.6. have remained in the exporting country for at least 30 days prior to  collection of the semen 
since entry and they were imported from ………………………….(2) during the period of less 
than six months prior to collection of the se men and satisfied the an imal health conditions 
applying to donors of the semen which is intended for export to the Community;] 
 (1)either [II.4.7. were kept in a bluetongue virus-free country or zone for at least 60 days prior to, and during, 
collection of the semen;] 
 (1)or [II.4.7. were kept during a bluetongue  virus seasonally free period in a seasonally free zone for at least 
60 days prior to, and during collection of the semen;] 
 (1)or [II.4.7. were kept protected from th e bluetongue virus competent vector Culicoides  for at least 60 days 
prior to, and during collection of the semen;] 
 (1)or [II.4.7. underwent a serological test to detect antibodies to the bluetongue virus group, carried out in 
accordance with the Manual of Diagnostic Test s and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals with 
negative results on samples ta ken between 21 and 60 days after collection of the semen;] 
  (
1)or [II.4.7. underwent an agent identification test for bl uetongue virus, carried out in accordance with the 
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals with negative results on 
blood samples taken on the day of semen collection and at least ev ery 7 days (virus isolation 
test) or at least every 28 days (PCR test) duri ng the semen collection and have been protected 
from the bluetongue virus competent vector Culicoides  during collection of the semen;]  
EN 12   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine semen  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
 (1)either [II.4.8. were resident in the exporting country(5) which according to official findings is free from 
epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD);] 
 (1)or [II.4.8. were resident in the exporting country(5) in which according to official findings the following 
serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic di sease (EHD) exist: …………………… and were tested 
on two occasions in an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test or competitive enzyme-linked 
immunosorbent assay(6) and in a virus neutralization test fo r all above-listed serotypes of EHD, 
carried out with negative results in an approv ed laboratory on samples of blood taken not more 
than 12 months apart prior to and not less than  21 days following collection of the semen;] 
 (1)either [II.4.9. were resident in the exporting country(5) which according to official findings is free from 
Akabane disease and Aino disease;] 
 (1)or [II.4.9. were resident in the exporting country(5) and were tested on two occasions in an agar-gel 
immuno-diffusion test and in a serum neutralization test for Akabane virus and Aino virus 
carried out with negative results in an approv ed laboratory on samples of blood taken not more 
than 12 months apart prior to and not less than  21 days following collection of the semen;] 
II.5. the semen to be exported  
II.5.1. was collected after the date on which the centre was approved by the competent national 
authorities of the exporting country; 
II.5.2. was processed, stored a nd transported under conditions which satisfy the terms laid down in 
Chapter III of Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC; 
 (1)either [II.5.3. meets the requirements of Chapter A (I) of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001.] 
 (1)or [II.5.3. meets the requirements of Chapter A(I) of  Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 and is 
destined for a Member States which benefits, for all or part of its territory, from the provisions 
laid down in point (b) or (c) of Chapter A (I) of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 
and the donor animals comply regarding scrapi e with the guarantees provided for by the 
programmes referred to in that point and with the guarantees (7) requested by the EU Member 
States of destination.] 
    
 
 
Notes 
Part I: 
• Box reference I.8: Provide the code of territo ry as appearing in Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the 
reference to present Deci sion should be inserted] . 
• Box reference I.11.: place of origin shall correspond to the semen collection cent re of the semen origin 
listed in the Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the reference to present De cision should be inserted] . 
• Box reference I.22. : number of packages shall correspond to the number of containers. 
• Box reference I.23.: identification of cont ainer and seal number shall be indicated. 
• Box reference I.28.: Species : select amongst “ Ovis aries ” and “ Capra hircus ”
 as appropriate.  
 Identification mark  shall correspond to the identification of the donor animals and the 
date of collection. 
 Approval number of centre : shall correspond to the semen collection centre of the 
semen origin listed in the Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC /EC [the reference to 
present Decision should be inserted] . 
 
Part II: 
(1) Delete as necessary. 
(2) Countries listed in Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the reference to present Decision should be 
inserted] . 
(3) Tests shall be carried out in accordance with Annex C to Directive 91/68/EEC. 
(4) Only for the territory appearing with the entry "V" in column 6 of Part 1 of Annex I to Council Decision 
79/542/EEC [OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15] as last amended.  
EN 13   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine semen  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
(5) See remarks for exporting country concer ned in Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the reference to 
present Decision should be inserted] . 
(6) Standards for EHD virus diagnostic  tests are described in the Blue tongue Chapter of the Manual of 
Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines  for Terrestrial Animals. 
(7) Additional guarantees as laid down in Article 2 of  Regulation (EC) No 546/2006 [OJ L 94, 1.4.2006, p.28]. 
• The signature and the stamp must be in a different colour to that of the printing.  
 Official veterinarian  
 Name (in capital letters): Qualification and title: 
 Date: Signature:  Stamp: 
  
EN 14   EN ANNEX III  
List of third countries and appr oved embryo collection teams from  which imports of ova and embryos of the ovine and caprine spe cies are 
authorised by the Member States 
Remarks 
ISO 
Code Name of the 
third country Approval 
number of the 
team Name of the team Address of the team Date of approval 
of the team Description of the territory 
(if appropriate ) Additional guarantees 
AU Australia      The additional guarantees as 
regards testing set out in points II.5.1 and II.5.2 of the 
certificate in Annex IV are 
compulsory. 
CA Canada      Territory as described in Part 1 of 
Annex I to Council Decision 
79/542/EEC17  The additional guarantee as 
regards testing set out in point 
II.5.2 of the certificate in Annex 
IV is compulsory. 
CH Switzerland        
CL Chile        
GL Greenland        
HR Croatia        
IS Iceland        
NZ New Zealand        
PM Saint Pierre and 
Miquelon        
US United States      
 The additional guarantee as 
regards testing set out in point 
II.5.2 of the certificate in Annex 
IV is compulsory. 
 
                                                 
17 OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15.   
EN 15   EN Notes  
(a) Veterinary certificates shall be produced by the 
exporting country, based on the model appearing in 
Annex II. They shall contain, in the numbered 
order that appears in the m odel, the attestations that 
are required for any third country and, as the case 
may be, those supplementary  guarantees that are 
required for the exporting third country as 
indicated in Annex III. 
If so requested by the EU Member State of 
destination, the additional certification 
requirements shall be also incorporated in the 
original form of the veterinary certificate. 
(b) The original of each certificate shall consist of a 
single page, both sides, or, where more text is 
required; it shall be in such a form that all pages 
needed are part of an integrated whole and 
indivisible. 
(c) It shall be drawn up in at  least one of the official 
languages of the EU Member State in which the 
inspection at the border post shall be carried out 
and of the EU Member State of destination. 
However, these Member States may allow another 
Community language instead of their own, 
accompanied, if necessary, by an official 
translation. 
(d) If for reasons of identification of the items of the 
consignment (schedule in point I.28 of the model 
of certificate), additional pages are attached to the 
certificate, these pages shall also be considered as 
forming part of the original of the certificate by the 
application of the signa ture and stamp of the 
certifying official veterinarian, on each of the 
pages. 
(e) When the certificate, including additional 
schedules referred to in d), comprises more than 
one page, each page shall be numbered – (page 
number)  of (total number of pages) – on its bottom 
and shall bear the code number of the certificate 
that has been designated by the competent 
authority on its top. (f) The original of the certificate must be completed 
and signed by an official veterinarian the last 
working day prior to loading of the consignment for 
exportation to the Community. In doing so, the 
competent authorities of the exporting country shall 
ensure that principles of certification equivalent to 
those laid down in Counc il Directive 96/93/EC are 
followed. 
The colour of the signature shall be different to that 
of the printing. The same rule applies to stamps 
other than those embossed or watermark. 
(g) The original of the certificate must accompany the 
consignment until it reaches the EU border 
inspection post. 
(h) The certificate shall be valid for 10 days from the 
date of issuing. In the case of transport by ship the 
time of validity is prolonged by the time of the trip 
in the ship. 
(i) Ova/embryos and semen shall not be transported 
together in the same container with other 
ova/embryos and semen that, either are/is not 
destined to the European Community, or are/is of a 
lower health status. 
(j) During its transport to the European Community, 
the container shall remain closed and the seal shall 
not be unbroken. 
(k) The certificate reference number referred to in 
boxes I.2 and II.a. must be issued by the competent 
authority.  
EN 16   EN ANNEX IV  
Model health certificate for import of ova a nd embryos of the ovine and caprine species 
COUNTRY:  Veterinary certificate to EU
I.1. Consignor I.2. Certificate reference number
Name
I.3. Central Competent Authority
Address
I.4. Local Competent Authority
Tel.N°
I.5. Consignee I.6. Person responsible for the load in EU
Name Name
Address Address
Postal code Postal code
Tel.N° Tel.N°
I.7.Country of origin  ISO code I.8. Region of origin Code I.9. Country of destination  ISO code I.10. Region of destination Code
I.11. Place of origin I.12. Place of destination
Name Approval number Name
Address Address
Name Approval number
Address
Name Approval number Postal code
Address
I.13. Place of loading I.14. Date of departure
I.15. Means of transport I.16. Entry BIP in EU 
Aeroplane Ship Railway wagon
Road vehicle Other
Identification:
Documentary references:
I.18. Description of commodity I.19. Commodity code (HS code)
05 11 99 90
I.20.Quantity
I.22. Number of packages
I.23. Identification of container/Seal number
I.25. Commodities certified for:
Artificial reproduction
I.26. For transit through EU to 3rd Country I.27. For import or admission into EU
3rd country  ISO code
I.28. Identification of the commodities
Species (Scientific name) Category Identification mark Approval number of the team QuantityI.21.
I.24.Part I : Details of dispatched consignment I.2.a
I.17.
  
EN 17   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine ova/embryos  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
 Part II: Certification 
 
 
 
 I, the undersigned, official vete rinarian, hereby certify that: 
II.1. the exporting country ………………………………………………………………………………….. 
(name of exporting country)(2) 
II.1.1. has been free from rinderpest, peste des pe tits ruminants, sheep and goat pox, contagious 
caprine pleuropneumonia, and Rift Valley fe ver during the 12 months immediately prior to 
collection of the ova/embryos(1) to be exported and up until its date of dispatch and no 
vaccination against th ese diseases took plac e during that period; 
 (1)either [II.1.2. has been free from foot-and-mouth diseas e during the 12 months immediately prior to 
collection of the ova/embryos(1) and did not carry out vaccination against foot-and-mouth 
disease during that period;] 
 (1)or [II.1.2. has not been free from foot and mouth di sease during the 12 months  immediately prior to 
collection of the ova/embryos(1) and/or carried out vaccination against foot-and- mouth disease 
during that period and  the donor females come from holdings on which no animal was 
vaccinated against foot-and-mout h disease during 30 days prior to  collection and no animal of 
susceptible species showed clinical signs of f oot-and-mouth disease during the 30 days prior to, 
and at least 30 days after, the ova/embryos(1) were collected and the ova/embryos(1) were not 
subjected to penetration of zona pellucida ;] 
II.2. the ova/embryos(1) to be exported  
II.2.1. were collected and processed on premises  within a 10-km radius of which there was no 
incidence of foot-and-mouth disease, vesicula r stomatitis, Rift Valley fever in the 30 days 
immediately prior to their collection; 
II.2.2. were stored at all times on approved premis es within a 10-km radius of which there was no 
incidence of foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular stomatitis or Rift Valley fever from the time of 
their collection until 30 days thereafter; 
II.3. the embryo  collection team described under point I.11: 
II.3.1. has been approved by the competent authority for export of ova/embryos(1) of the ovine and 
caprine species to the European Community; 
II.3.2. carried out collection,  processing, storing and tr ansport of the ova/embryos(1) to be exported in 
accordance with Chapter III of Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC; 
II.3.3. is subject to inspection by an official veterinarian at least twice a year; 
II.4. the donor females:  (
1)either [II.4.1. were kept in a bluetongue virus-free country or zone for at least 60 days prior to, and during 
collection of the ova/embryos(1);] 
 (1)or [II.4.1. were kept during a bluetongue virus seas onally free period in a se asonally free zone;] 
 (1)or [II.4.1. were kept protected from th e bluetongue virus competent vector Culicoides  for at least 60 days 
prior to, and during the collection of the ova/embryos(1);] 
 (1)or [II.4.1. underwent a serological test to detect antibodies to the bluetongue virus group, carried out in 
accordance with the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals between 
21 and 60 days after collection of the ova/embryos(1) and giving negative results;] 
 (1)or [II.4.1. underwent an agent identification test for bl uetongue virus, carried out in accordance with the 
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Te rrestrial Animals on a blood sample taken on 
the day of the ova/embryos(1) collection or the day of slaughtering and giving negative results;] 
II.4.2. to the best of my knowledge and according to the written declaration made by the owner, do 
not come from holdings, and have not been in co ntact with animals of a holding, in which any 
of the following diseases have been clinically detected within the stated periods prior to 
collection of the ova/embryos(1) to be exported: 
(a) contagious agalactia of sheep or goats ( Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma 
capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides var. mycoides "large colony"), within the last six 
months; 
(b) paratuberculosis and caseous lym phadenitis, within the last 12 months; 
(c) pulmonary adenomat osis, within the last three years; and 
(1)either [(d) Maedi/Visna for sheep or caprine viral arth ritis/encephalitis for goats, within the last 
three years;] 
 (1)or [(d) Maedi/Visna for sheep or caprine viral ar thritis/encephalitis for goats, within the last 
12 months, and all the infected animals were slaughtered and remaining animals 
subsequently reacted negatively to two test s carried out at leas t six months apart;]  
EN 18   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine ova/embryos  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
II.4.3. are included in an official system for not ification of diseases me ntioned in point II.4.2; 
II.4.4. showed no clinical signs of disease on the day of the ova/embryos(1) collection; 
(1)(4)either [II.4.5. originate from the territory described under point I.8, which ha s been recognised as officially 
brucellosis (B. melitensis) -free, and] 
 (1)or [II.4.5. have belonged to a holdi ng which has obtained and maintain ed its officially brucellosis 
(B. melitensis) -free status in accordance with Directive 91/68/EC, and] 
 (1)or [II.4.5. originate from a holding, wh ere in respect of brucellosis ( B. melitensis ) all susceptible animals 
have been free from clinical or any signs of this disease for the last 12 months, none of the 
ovine and caprine animals have been vaccinated against this disease, save those vaccinated 
with Rev. 1 vaccine more than two years ag o, and all ovine and caprine animals over six 
months of age have been subj ected to at least two tests(3), carried out with negative results on 
samples taken on ……………. ( date) and on …………. ( date) at least six months apart, the 
latter being within 30 days of entry into the quarantine accommodation, and] 
have not been kept previously in a holding of a lower status;  
 (1)either [II.4.6. have remained in the exporting country for at least the last six months prior to collection of the 
ova/embryos(1) to be exported;] 
 (1)or [II.4.6. have remained in the exporting country for at least 30 days prior to collection of the 
ova/embryos(1) since entry into which they were imported from ………………………….(2) 
during the period of less than six months  prior to collection of the ova/embryos(1) and satisfied 
the animal health conditions applying to donors of the ova/embryos(1) which are intended for 
export to the Community;] 
II.5. The ova/embryos(1) to be exported  
 (1)either [II.5.1. were collected in the exporting country(5), which according to official findings is free from 
Akabane disease and Aino disease;] 
 (1)or [II.5.1. were collected in the exporting country(5) and were not subjected to penetration of the zona 
pellucida , and the donor females underwent a serum ne utralisation test for Akabane virus and 
Aino virus carried out on a blood sample taken not  less than 21 days following their collection 
and giving negative results;] 
 (1)either [II.5.2. were collected in the exporting country(5), which according to official findings is free from 
epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD);] 
 (1)or [II.5.2. were collected in the exporting country(5) in which according to official findings the following 
serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic di sease (EHD) exist: …………………… and were tested 
negative on two occasions not more than 12 mont hs apart in an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test 
or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(6) and a virus neutralization test for all 
above-listed serotypes of EHD,  carried out in approved labor atory on samples of blood taken 
prior to and not less than 21 days following collection of the ova/embryos(1);] 
 (1)either [II.5.3. meet the requirements of Chapter A(I) of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001;] 
 (1)or [II.5.3. meet the requirements of Chapter A(I) of  Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001and are 
destined for a Member States which benefits, for all or part of its territory, from the provisions 
laid down in point (b) or (c) of Chapter A (I) of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 
and the donor animals comply regarding scrapi e with the guarantees provided for by the 
programmes referred to in that point and with the guarantees(7) requested by the EU Member 
States of destination;] 
II.6. The ova/embryos(1) to be exported  
II.6.1. were collected after the date on which the embryo collection team was approved by the 
competent authority of the exporting country; 
II.6.2. were processed and stored  under approved conditions for at least 30 days immediately after 
their collection and transported under conditi ons which satisfy the terms laid down in 
Chapter III of Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC; 
II.7. The embryos were conceived by artificial in semination using semen comi ng from semen collection 
centres approved in accordance with Article 11(2) and 17(3) respectively of Directive 92/65/EEC and 
located in a Member State of the European Commun ity or in a third country listed in Annex I to 
Decision 2008/XXX/EC [reference to present Deci sion should be inserted] .(8) 
 
  
EN 19   EN  COUNTRY Ovine and caprine ova/embryos  
 II. Health information II.a. Certificate reference 
number II.b. 
Notes 
Part I: 
• Box reference I.8: Provide the code of territo ry as appearing in Annex III to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the 
reference to present Deci sion should be inserted ]. 
• Box reference I.11.: place of origin shall corr espond to the embryo collec tion team by which the 
ova/embryos were collected, processed and stored  and listed in Annex III to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the 
reference to present Deci sion should be inserted]  . 
• Box reference I.22. : number of packages shall correspond to the number of containers. 
• Box reference I.23.: identification of cont ainer and seal number shall be indicated. 
• Box reference I.28.: Species : select amongst “ Ovis aries ” and “ Capra hircus ” as appropriate. 
 Category : specify if (a) penetration or (b) non penetration of zona pellucida.  
 Identification  mark shall correspond to the identification of the donor animals and the 
date of collection. 
 Approval number of the team : shall correspond to the embr yo collection team of the 
ova/embryos origin listed in the Annex III to Decision 2008/XXX/EC /EC [the 
reference to present Deci sion should be inserted] . 
 
Part II: 
(1) Delete as appropriate. 
(2) Countries listed in Annex I to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the reference to present D ecision should be inserted] . 
(3) Tests shall be carried out in accordance with Annex C to Directive 91/68/EEC. 
(4) Only for the territory appearing with the entry "V" in column 6 of Part 1 of Annex I to Council Decision 
79/542/EEC [OJ L 146, 14.6.1979, p. 15] as last amended. 
(5) See remarks for exporting country conc erned in Annex III to Decision 2008/XXX/EC [the reference to 
present Decision should be inserted] . 
(6) Standards for EHD virus diagnostic tests are described in the Bluetongue Chapter of the Manual of Diagnostic 
Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. 
(7) Additional guarantees as laid down in Article 2 of  Regulation (EC) No 546/2006 [OJ L 94, 1.4.2006, p.28]. 
(8) Semen collection centres approved in accordance w ith EC legislation are listed on the Commission website: 
http://circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/semen/semen.html  . 
• The signature and the stamp must be in a different colour to that of the printing.  
 Official veterinarian  
 Name (in capital letters): Qualification and title:  Date: Signature: 
 Stamp: