COMMISSION DECISION  
of 26 August 2010  
on imports into the Union of semen, ova and embryos of animals of the equine species as regards 
lists of semen collection and storage centres and embryo collection and production teams and 
certification requirements  
(notified under document C(2010) 5781)  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
(2010/471/EU)  
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European 
Union,  
Having regard to Council Directive 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 requirements laid down 
in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A(I) to 
Directive 90/425/EEC (  1 ), and in particular Article 17(2)(b), 
Article 17(3), the first indent of Article 18(1), and the intro ­
ductory phrase and point (b) of Article 19 thereof,  
Whereas:  
(1) Directive 92/65/EEC lays down the animal health 
requirements governing imports into the Union of 
semen, ova and embryos of animals of the equine 
species (‘the commodities’). It provides only commodities 
that come from a third country or part of a third country 
on a list of third countries drawn up in accordance with 
that Directive, and accompanied by a health certificate 
corresponding to a model also drawn up in accordance 
with that Directive, may be imported into the Union. The 
health certificate must attest that the commodities come 
from approved collection and storage centres or 
collection and production teams offering guarantees at 
least equivalent to those established in Annex D(I) to 
that Directive.  
(2) Commission Decision 2004/211/EC of 6 January 2004 
establishing the list of third countries and parts of 
territory thereof from which Member States authorise 
imports of live equidae and semen, ova and embryos 
of the equine species (  2 ) establishes a list of third 
countries, or parts thereof from which Member States 
are to authorise imports of the commodities. In the 
interest of coherency and consistency of Union legis ­
lation, that list should be taken into account in the 
present Decision.  
(3) Directive 92/65/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 
2008/73/EC (  3 ), introduced a simplified procedure for 
the listing of semen collection and storage centres and 
embryo collection and production teams in third 
countries, approved for imports of the commodities 
into the Union.  (4) Annex D to Directive 92/65/EEC, as amended by 
Commission Regulation (EU) No 176/2010 (  4 ), sets out 
certain new requirements for the commodities which are 
to apply from 1 September 2010. It introduces rules 
concerning semen storage centres and detailed conditions 
for their approval and supervision. It also sets out 
detailed conditions for the approval and supervision of 
embryo collection and production teams, for the 
collection and processing of  in vivo  derived embryos 
and the production and processing of  in vitro  fertilised 
embryos and micromanipulated embryos. It also 
amended the conditions to be applied to the donor 
animals of semen, ova and embryos of the equine 
species in addition to those laid down in Council 
Directive 2009/156/EC of 30 November 2009 on 
animal health conditions governing the movement and 
importation from third countries of equidae (  5 ). 
(5) Accordingly, it is necessary to establish new model health 
certificates for imports into the Union of the 
commodities taking into account the amendments 
made to Directive 92/65/EEC by Directive 2008/73/EC 
and Regulation (EU) No 176/2010.  
(6) In addition, provision should be made for imports into 
the Union of existing stocks of commodities that comply 
with the provisions of Directive 92/65/EEC established 
prior to the entry into force of the amendments 
introduced by Regulation (EU) No 176/2010. 
Accordingly, it is necessary to set out separate model 
health certificates for imports of consignments of the 
commodities collected or produced, processed and 
stored in accordance with Annex D to Directive 
92/65/EEC prior to 1 September 2010.  
(7) The long lasting stocking capabilities for such 
commodities make it impossible at present to fix a 
date for the exhaustion of the existing stocks. Therefore, 
it is not possible to fix a date for the termination of the 
use of those model health certificates for the existing 
stocks.  
(8) In order to ensure full traceability of the commodities, 
model health certificates should be set out in this 
Decision for imports into the Union of semen of 
animals of the equine species collected in approved 
semen collection centres and dispatched from an 
approved semen storage centre, whether or not theEN L 228/52 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010  
( 1 ) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 54.  
( 2 ) OJ L 73, 11.3.2004, p. 1.  
( 3 ) OJ L 219, 14.8.2008, p. 40.  ( 4 ) OJ L 52, 3.3.2010, p. 14.  
( 5 ) OJ L 192, 23.7.2010, p. 1.latter constitutes part of a semen collection centre 
approved under a different approval number.  
(9) In the interests of consistency and simplification of 
Union legislation, the model health certificates for the 
importation of the commodities should take account of 
Commission Decision 2007/240/EC (  1 ), which provides 
that the various veterinary, public and animal health 
certificates required for the imports into the Union of 
live animals, semen, embryo, ova and products of 
animal origin are to be based on the standard models 
for veterinary certificates set out in Annex I thereto.  
(10) In addition, it is appropriate that consignments of the 
commodities imported into the Union from Switzerland 
are accompanied by the health certificates drawn up in 
accordance with the models used for trade within the 
Union in semen, ova and embryos of animals of the 
equine species and set out in Commission Decision 
2010/470/EU of 26 August 2010 laying down model 
health certificates for trade within the Union in semen, 
ova and embryos of animals of the equine, ovine and 
caprine species and in ova and in embryos of animals of 
the porcine species (  2 ), with the adaptations set out in 
points 8 and 9 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 Products, as approved by Decision 
2002/309/EC, Euratom of the Council, and of the 
Commission as regards the Agreement on Scientific 
and Technological Cooperation of 4 April 2002 on the 
conclusion of seven Agreements with the Swiss Confed ­
eration (  3 ). 
(11) In the application of this 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 
products (  4 ), as approved by Council Decision 
1999/201/EC (  5 ). 
(12) In the application of this Decision, account should also 
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 New Zealand on sanitary measures 
applicable to trade in live animals and animal 
products (  6 ), as approved by Council Decision 
97/132/EC (  7 ). 
(13) In the interest of clarity of Union legislation, it is 
necessary to repeal the Union acts currently setting out 
certification requirements for imports into the Union of 
the commodities. Accordingly, Commission Decision 
96/539/EC of 4 September 1996 on animal health requirements and veterinary certification for imports into 
the Community of semen of the equine species (  8 ) and 
Commission Decision 96/540/EC of 4 September 1996 
on animal health requirements and veterinary certifi ­
cation for imports into the Community of ova and 
embryos of the equine species (  9 ) should be repealed.  
(14) In addition, Commission Decision 2004/616/EC of 
26 July 2004 establishing the list of approved semen 
collection centres for imports of equine semen from 
third countries (  10 ) is now obsolete and should be 
repealed.  
(15) 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  
Subject matter  
This Decision lays down certain animal health requirements 
concerning imports into the Union of consignments of 
semen, ova and embryos of animals of the equine species.  
It sets out model health certificates to be used for imports of 
those commodities into the Union.  
Article 2  
Imports of semen  
Member States shall authorise imports of consignments of 
semen of animals of the equine species provided that they 
comply with the following conditions:  
(a) they come from third countries or parts of the territory of 
third countries listed in columns 2 and 4 of Annex I to 
Decision 2004/211/EC respectively from which permanent 
imports of registered horses, registered equidae or equidae 
for breeding and production are authorised;  
(b) they come from an approved semen collection or storage 
centre listed in accordance with Article 17(3)(b) of Directive 
92/65/EEC;  
(c) they are accompanied by a health certificate drawn up in 
accordance with one of the following models set out in Part 
2 of Annex I; and completed in accordance with the 
explanatory notes set out in Part 1 of that Annex:  
(i) MODEL 1 as set out in Section A, for consignments of 
semen collected after 31 August 2010 and dispatched 
from an approved semen collection centre of origin of 
the semen;  
(ii) MODEL 2 as set out in Section B, for consignments of 
stocks of semen collected, processed and stored before 
1 September 2010 and dispatched after 31 August 
2010 from an approved semen collection centre of 
origin of the semen;EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/53  
( 1 ) OJ L 104, 21.4.2007, p. 37.  
( 2 ) See page 15 of this Official Journal.  
( 3 ) OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 1.  
( 4 ) OJ L 71, 18.3.1999, p. 3.  
( 5 ) OJ L 71, 18.3.1999, p. 1.  
( 6 ) OJ L 57, 26.2.1997, p. 5.  
( 7 ) OJ L 57, 26.2.1997, p. 4.  ( 8 ) OJ L 230, 11.9.1996, p. 23.  
( 9 ) OJ L 230, 11.9.1996, p. 28.  
( 10 ) OJ L 278, 27.8.2004, p. 64.(iii) MODEL 3 as set out in Section C, for consignments of 
semen and stocks of semen referred to in (i) and (ii) 
dispatched from an approved semen storage centre;  
However, where specific certification requirements are laid 
down in bilateral agreements between the European Union 
and third countries, those requirements shall apply.  
(d) they comply with the requirements set out in the health 
certificate referred to in point (c).  
Article 3  
Imports of ova and embryos  
Member States shall authorise imports of consignments of ova 
and embryos of animals of the equine species provided that 
they comply with the following conditions:  
(a) they come from third countries or parts of the territory of 
third countries listed in columns 2 and 4 of Annex I to 
Decision 2004/211/EC respectively from which permanent 
imports of registered horses, registered equidae or equidae 
for breeding and production are authorised;  
(b) they come from an approved embryo collection or 
production team listed in accordance with Article 17(3)(b) 
of Directive 92/65/EEC;  
(c) they are accompanied by a health certificate drawn up in 
accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part 
2 of Annex II; and completed in accordance with the 
explanatory notes set out in Part 1 of Annex II;  
However, where specific certification requirements are laid 
down in bilateral agreements between the European Union 
and third countries, those requirements shall apply.  
(d) they comply with the requirements set out in the health 
certificate referred to in point (c).  Article 4  
General conditions concerning the transport of 
consignments of semen, ova and embryos to the 
European Union  
1. Consignments of semen, ova and embryos shall not be 
transported in the same container as other consignments of 
semen, ova and embryos that:  
(a) are not intended for introduction into the Union, or  
(b) are of a lower health status.  
2. During transport to the Union, consignments of semen, 
ova and embryos shall be placed in closed and sealed containers 
and the seal must not be broken during the transport.  
Article 5  
Repeal  
Decisions 96/539/EC, 96/540/EC and 2004/616/EC are 
repealed.  
Article 6  
Applicability  
This Decision shall apply from 1 September 2010.  
Article 7  
Addressees  
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.  
Done at Brussels, 26 August 2010.  
For the Commission  
John DALLI  
Member of the CommissionEN L 228/54 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010ANNEX I  
Model health certificates for imports of semen of animals of the equine species  
PART 1  
Explanatory notes for the certification  
(a) The health certificates shall be issued by the competent 
authority of the exporting third country, in accordance 
with the models set out in Part 2 of Annex I.  
If the Member State of destination requires additional 
certification, attestations to certify that those 
requirements are fulfilled shall be also incorporated in 
the original form of the health certificate.  
(b) The original of the health certificate shall consist of a 
single sheet of paper, or, where more text is required, it 
must be in such a form that all sheets of paper 
required are part of an integrated whole and indivisible.  
(c) Where the model health certificate states that certain 
statements shall be kept as appropriate, statements 
which are not relevant, may be crossed out and 
initialled and stamped by the certifying officer, or 
completely deleted from certificate.  
(d) The health certificate shall be drawn up in at least one 
of the official languages of the Member State of the 
border inspection post of introduction of the 
consignment into the European Union and of the 
Member State of destination. However, those Member 
States may authorise the certificate to be drawn up in 
the official language of another Member State, and 
accompanied, if necessary, by an official translation.  
(e) If for the reasons of identification of the items of the 
consignment (schedule in Box I.28 of the model health 
certificate), additional sheets of paper are attached to 
the health certificate, those sheets of paper shall also be 
considered as forming part of the original of the health 
certificate by application of the signature and stamp of 
the certifying officer, on each of the pages.  (f) When the health certificate, including additional 
schedules referred to in (e), comprises more than one 
page, each page shall be numbered (page number) of 
(total number of pages), at the end of the page and 
shall bear the certificate reference number that has 
been designated by the competent authority on the 
top of the pages.  
(g) The original of the health certificate must be completed 
and signed by an official veterinarian the last working 
day prior to loading of the consignment for expor ­
tation to the European Union. The competent 
authorities of the exporting third country shall ensure 
that certification requirements equivalent to those laid 
down in Council Directive 96/93/EC (  1 ) are followed.  
The colour of the signature and the stamp of the 
official veterinarian shall be different to that of the 
printing on the health certificate. This requirement 
also applies to stamps other than those embossed or 
watermarks.  
(h) The original of the health certificate must accompany 
the consignment until it reaches the border inspection 
post of introduction into the European Union.  
(i) The certificate reference number referred to in Box I.2 
and Box II.a of the model health certificate must be 
issued by the competent authority of the exporting 
third country.EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/55  
( 1 ) OJ L 13, 16.1.1997, p. 28.PART 2  
Section A  
MODEL 1 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of semen of animals of the equine species collected, 
processed and/or stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and dispatched from an 
approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen
EN L 228/56 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/57EN L 228/58 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/59EN L 228/60 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/61Section B  
MODEL 2 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of stocks of semen of animals of the equine species 
collected, processed and/or stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010 and 
dispatched after 31 August 2010 from an approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen
EN L 228/62 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/63EN L 228/64 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/65Section C  
MODEL 3 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of semen of animals of the equine species collected, 
processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and of consignments of 
stocks of semen of animals of the equine species collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 
92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010 and dispatched after 31 August 2010 from an approved semen storage centre
EN L 228/66 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/67EN L 228/68 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010ANNEX II  
Model health certificate for imports of ova and embryos of animals of the equine species  
PART 1  
Explanatory notes for the certification  
(a) The health certificates shall be issued by the 
competent authority of the exporting third 
country, in accordance with the model set out in 
Part 2 of Annex II.  
If the Member State of destination requires add- 
itional certification, attestations to certify that 
those requirements are fulfilled shall be also incor ­
porated in the original form of the health certificate.  
(b) The original of the health certificate shall consist of 
a single sheet of paper, or, where more text is 
required, it must be in such a form that all sheets 
of paper required are part of an integrated whole 
and indivisible.  
(c) Where the model health certificate states that certain 
statements shall be kept as appropriate, statements 
which are not relevant, may be crossed out and 
initialled and stamped by the certifying officer, or 
completely deleted from certificate.  
(d) The health certificate shall be drawn up in at least 
one of the official languages of the Member State of 
the border inspection post of introduction of the 
consignment into the European Union and of the 
Member State of destination. However, those 
Member States may authorise the certificate to be 
drawn up in the official language of another 
Member State, and accompanied, if necessary, by 
an official translation.  
(e) If for the reasons of identification of the items of the 
consignment (schedule in Box I.28 of the model 
health certificate), additional sheets of paper are 
attached to the health certificate, those sheets of 
paper shall also be considered as forming part of 
the original of the health certificate by application 
of the signature and stamp of the certifying officer, 
on each of the pages.  (f) When the health certificate, including additional 
schedules referred to in (e), comprises more than 
one page, each page shall be numbered (page 
number) of (total number of pages), at the end of 
the page and shall bear the certificate reference 
number that has been designated by the 
competent authority on the top of the pages.  
(g) The original of the health certificate must be 
completed and signed by an official veterinarian 
the last working day prior to loading of the 
consignment for exportation to the European 
Union. The competent authorities of the exporting 
third country shall ensure that certification 
requirements equivalent to those laid down in 
Council Directive 96/93/EC (  1 ) are followed.  
The colour of the signature and the stamp of the 
official veterinarian shall be different to that of the 
printing on the health certificate. This requirement 
also applies to stamps other than those embossed or 
watermarks.  
(h) The original of the health certificate must 
accompany the consignment until it reaches the 
border inspection post of introduction into the 
European Union.  
(i) The certificate reference number referred to in Box 
I.2 and Box II.a of the model health certificate must 
be issued by the competent authority of the 
exporting third country.EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/69  
( 1 ) OJ L 13, 16.1.1997, p. 28.PART 2  
Model health certificate for imports of ova and embryos of animals of the equine species collected, processed and stored 
in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and dispatched from an approved embryo 
collection/production team
EN L 228/70 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/71EN L 228/72 Official Journal of the European Union 31.8.2010EN 31.8.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 228/73