# L_2006011EN.01002101.xml

| 17.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 11/21 |
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17.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 11/21

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COMMISSION DECISION

of 5 January 2006

amending Annex B to Council Directive 88/407/EEC and Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC as regards import conditions for semen of domestic animals of the bovine species

(notified under document number C(2005) 5840)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/16/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 88/407/EEC of 14 June 1988 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species (1), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 10(2), Article 11(2) and the second paragraph of Article 17 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Council Directive 2003/43/EC (2) amended Directive 88/407/EEC, which made it necessary to recast Commission Decisions relating to the animal health conditions for imports into the Community of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species. |
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(1)

Council Directive 2003/43/EC (2) amended Directive 88/407/EEC, which made it necessary to recast Commission Decisions relating to the animal health conditions for imports into the Community of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species.

| (2) | The Commission therefore adopted Decision 2004/639/EC of 6 September 2004 laying down the importation conditions of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species (3), which brought together the rules on imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species within a single act. |
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(2)

The Commission therefore adopted Decision 2004/639/EC of 6 September 2004 laying down the importation conditions of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species (3), which brought together the rules on imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species within a single act.

| (3) | However, problems have arisen with imports of bovine semen from third countries owing to missing or incorrect information in Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC and in Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC, which should therefore be amended accordingly. |
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(3)

However, problems have arisen with imports of bovine semen from third countries owing to missing or incorrect information in Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC and in Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC, which should therefore be amended accordingly.

| (4) | In order to enable economic operators to adapt to the new conditions set out in this Decision, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period in which under certain conditions semen of domestic animals of the bovine species complying with the conditions set out in the model veterinary certificate applicable before the date of application of this Decision may be imported into the Community. |
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(4)

In order to enable economic operators to adapt to the new conditions set out in this Decision, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period in which under certain conditions semen of domestic animals of the bovine species complying with the conditions set out in the model veterinary certificate applicable before the date of application of this Decision may be imported into the Community.

| (5) | The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, |
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(5)

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

Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Decision.

Article 2

Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC is replaced by Annex II to this Decision.

Article 3

For a transitional period ending 31 March 2006, Member States shall authorise the importation of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species provided that such semen:

| (a) | complies with the conditions set out in the model veterinary certificate in Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC that was applicable before the date of application of the present Decision; and |
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(a)

complies with the conditions set out in the model veterinary certificate in Annex II to Decision 2004/639/EC that was applicable before the date of application of the present Decision; and

| (b) | is accompanied by such a certificate duly completed. |
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(b)

is accompanied by such a certificate duly completed.

Article 4

This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2006.

Article 5

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 5 January 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU

Member of the Commission

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(1)  
  OJ L 194, 22.7.1988, p. 10. Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 2004/101/EC (OJ L 30, 4.2.2004, p. 15).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 143, 11.6.2003, p. 23.

2

(3)  
  OJ L 292, 15.9.2004, p. 21. Decision as amended by Decision 2005/290/EC (OJ L 93, 12.4.2005, p. 34).

3

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ANNEX I

The second subparagraph of Chapter I(1)(d) of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC is replaced by the following:

‘The competent authority may give authorisation for the tests referred to in (d) to be carried out on samples collected in the quarantine station. In this case, the period of quarantine referred to in (a) may not commence before the date of sampling. However, should any of the tests listed in (d) prove positive, the animal concerned shall be immediately removed from the isolation unit. In the event of group isolation, the quarantine period referred to in (a) may not commence for the remaining animals until the animal which tested positive has been removed.’

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ANNEX II

‘ANNEX II

Model veterinary certificates for imports

PART 1

SEMEN OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES FOR IMPORT, COLLECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 88/407/EEC AS AMENDED BY DIRECTIVE 2003/43/EC

The following model certificate is applicable to imports of semen collected in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Directive 2003/43/EC.

Image 1

COUNTRY Veterinary certificate to EU

I.1. Consignor

Name Address Postal code

I.2.

I.2.a. Local reference number:

I.3. Central Competent Authority

I.4. Local Competent Authority

I.5. Consignee Name Address Postal code

I.6.

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 Semen centre

Name Approval number

Address Name Approval number

Address Name Approval number

Address

I.12. Place of destination Holding Semen centre Approved body

Name Approval number

Address Postal code

I.13.

I.14. Estimated date and time of arrival

I.15. Means of transport Aeroplane Ship Railway wagon

Road vehicle Other

Identification:

Documentary references:

I.16.

I.17.

I.18. Description of commodity

I.19. Commodity code (HS code)

I.20. Quantity

I.21.

I.22. Number of packages

I.23. Identification of container/Seal number

I.24.

I.25. Commodity certified for Artificial reproduction

I.26. For transit to 3rd country vis-à-vis EU

3rd country ISO code

I.27. For import or admission into EU

Definitive import

I.28. Identification of the animals/products Species (Scientific name) Identification mark Quantity of doses Approval number of the centre of origin

Part I: Details of dispatched consignment

Image 2

COUNTRY Domestic bovine semen

II. Health information

II.a. Certificate reference number

II.b. Local reference number

I, the undersigned, official veterinarian, hereby certify that:

1.1.

(Name of exporting country) (3)

was free from rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease during the 12 months immediately prior to collection of the semen for export and up until its date of dispatch and no vaccination against these diseases took place during that period;

1.2. The centre at which the semen to be exported was collected or stored:

1.2.1. meets the conditions laid down in Chapter I of Annex A to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.2.2. is operated and supervised in accordance with the conditions laid down in Chapter II of Annex A to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.3. The centre at which the semen to be exported was collected was free from rabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia during the 30 days prior to the date of collection of the semen to be exported and the 30 days after collection (in the case of fresh semen, until the day of dispatch);

1.4. The bovine animals standing at the semen collection centre:

1.4.1. come from herds and/or were born to dams which satisfy the conditions in paragraph 1(b) and (c) of Chapter I of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.4.2. underwent the tests required in accordance with paragraph 1(d) of Chapter I of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC in the 28 days preceding the quarantine isolation period;

1.4.3. have satisfied the quarantine isolation period and testing requirements laid down in paragraph 1(e) of Chapter I of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.4.4. have undergone at least once a year the routine tests referred to in Chapter II of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.5. The semen to be exported was obtained from donor bulls which:

1.5.1. satisfy the conditions laid down in Annex C to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.5.2. either were resident in the exporting country during the six months immediately prior to collection of the semen for export (1);

or

were imported from (3) after spending less than six months in the exporting country and at the time of import satisfied the animal health conditions applying to donors the semen of which is intended for export to the Community (1);

1.5.3. fulfil the import conditions for bovine semen laid down in the Bluetongue Chapter of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE, depending on the status of the country or zone of residence; ****

1.5.4. were resident in the country of export in which the following serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) exist: ; and tested negative on two occasions not more than 12 months apart to an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test (4) and to a virus neutralisation test for all above-listed serotypes of EHD, carried out in an approved laboratory on samples of blood taken prior to and not less than 21 days following collection of the semen; ***

Part II: Certification

Image 3

1.5.5. were resident in the country of export in which the following serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) exist: ; and tested negative, prior to entry and at six-monthly intervals, to an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test (4) and a virus neutralisation test for all above-listed serotypes of EHD carried out in an approved laboratory; **

1.5.6. tested negative on two occasions not more than 12 months apart to a serum neutralisation test for Akabane virus carried out in an approved laboratory on samples of blood taken prior to and not less than 21 days following collection of the semen; *

1.6. The semen to be exported was collected after the date on which the centre was approved by the competent national authorities of the exporting country;

1.7. The semen to be exported was processed, stored and transported under conditions which satisfy the terms of Directive 88/407/EEC.

Notes

Note for importer: this certificate is for veterinary purposes only and must accompany the consignment until it reaches the border inspection post.

(1) Delete as necessary.

(2) [Box reference No I.28 in Part I]:

Identification mark: corresponding to the identification of the donor animals and the date of collection.

Approval number of the centre of origin: to be filled in if different from box reference No I.11.

(3) Countries listed in Annex I to Decision 2004/639/EC.

(4) Standards for EHD virus diagnostic tests are described in the Bluetongue Chapter of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.

**** To be used only by Australia, Canada and the USA.

*** To be used only by Australia and the USA.

** To be used only by Canada.

- To be used only by Australia.

NB: This certificate must:

(a) be drawn up in at least one official language of the Member State of destination and of the Member State where the semen will enter Community territory;

(b) be made out to a single consignee;

(c) accompany the semen in the original.

Official veterinarian

Name (in Capital):

Date:

Stamp

Qualification and title Signature:

PART 2

SEMEN OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES COLLECTED, PROCESSED AND STORED BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2004 FOR IMPORT FROM 1 JANUARY 2005 IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 2(2) OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/43/EC

The following model certificate is applicable from 1 January 2005 to imports of stocks of semen collected, processed and stored before 31 December 2004 in accordance with the conditions previously laid down in Council Directive 88/407/EEC and imported after that date in accordance with Article 2(2) of Directive 2003/43/EC.

Image 4

COUNTRY Veterinary certificate to EU

I.1. Consignor

Name Address Postal code

I.2.

I.2.a. Local reference number:

I.3. Central Competent Authority

I.4. Local Competent Authority

I.5. Consignee Name Address Postal code

I.6.

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 Semen centre

Name Approval number

Address Name Approval number

Address Name Approval number

Address

I.12. Place of destination Holding Semen centre Approved body

Name Approval number

Address Postal code

I.13.

I.14. Estimated date and time of arrival

I.15. Means of transport Aeroplane Ship Railway wagon

Road vehicle Other

Identification:

Documentary references:

I.16.

I.17.

I.18. Description of commodity

I.19. Commodity code (HS code)

I.20. Quantity

I.21.

I.22. Number of packages

I.23. Identification of container/Seal number

I.24.

I.25. Commodity certified for Artificial reproduction

I.26. For transit to 3rd country vis-à-vis EU

3rd country ISO code

I.27. For import or admission into EU

Definitive import

I.28. Identification of the animals/products Species (Scientific name) Identification mark Quantity of doses Approval number of the centre of origin

Part I: Details of dispatched consignment

Image 5

COUNTRY Domestic bovine semen collected, processed and stored before 31 December 2004

II. Health information

II.a. Certificate reference number

II.b. Local reference number

I, the undersigned, official veterinarian, hereby certify that:

1.1.

(Name of exporting country) (3)

was free from rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease during the 12 months immediately prior to collection of the semen for export and up until its date of dispatch and no vaccination against these diseases took place during that period;

1.2. The semen described above was collected before 31 December 2004 at a semen collection centre which:

1.2.1. meets the conditions laid down in Chapter I of Annex A to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.2.2. is operated and supervised in accordance with the conditions laid down in Chapter II of Annex A to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.3. The centre at which the semen to be exported was collected was free from rabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia during the 30 days prior to the date of collection of the semen to be exported and the 30 days after collection (in the case of fresh semen, until the date of dispatch);

1.4. At the time the semen described above was collected, all bovine animals at the semen collection centre:

1.4.1. came from herds and/or were born to dams which satisfy the conditions in paragraph 1(b) and (c) of Chapter I of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.4.2. had tested negative, within the 30 days preceding the quarantine isolation period, to:

the tests referred to in points 1(d)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Chapter I of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC, and

a serum neutralisation test or an ELISA test for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitis, and

a virus isolation test (fluorescent antibody test or immunoperoxidase test) for bovine viral diarrhoea, deferred until the animal reached the age of six months in the case of younger animals;

1.4.3. had undergone the 30-day quarantine isolation period and had tested negative to the following health tests:

a serological test for brucellosis carried out in accordance with the procedure described in Annex C to Directive 64/432/EEC,

either an immunofluorescent antibody test or a culture test for campylobacter foetus infection on a sample of preputial material or artificial vagina washings or, in the case of a female animal, a vaginal mucus agglutination test (1),

a microscopic examination and culture test for trichomonas foetus on a sample of preputial material or artificial vagina washings or, in the case of a female animal, a vaginal mucus agglutination test (1);

1.4.4. had tested negative, at least once a year, to the routine tests referred to in points 1(a), (b) and (c) of Chapter II of Annex B to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.5. At the time the semen described above was collected,

1.5.1. all female bovine animals in the centre had tested negative at least once a year to a vaginal mucus agglutination test for campylobacter foetus infection, and

1.5.2. all bulls used for semen production had tested negative either to an immunofluorescent antibody test or to a culture test for campylobacter foetus infection on a sample of preputial material or artificial vagina washings carried out in the 12 months prior to collection;

Part II: Certification

Image 6

1.6. The semen to be exported was obtained from donor bulls which:

1.6.1. satisfy the conditions laid down in Annex C to Directive 88/407/EEC;

1.6.2. either were resident in the exporting country during the six months immediately prior to collection of the semen for export (1);

or

had been imported from (3), after spending less than six months in the exporting country, and at the time of import, satisfied the health conditions applying to donors the semen of which is intended for export to the Community (1);

1.6.3. stand in a semen collection centre at which:

(i) all bovine animals tested negative at least once a year to a serum neutralisation test or an ELISA test for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitis (1), or

(ii) bovine animals not vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis tested negative at least once a year to a serum neutralisation test or an ELISA test for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitis and at which testing for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis was not carried out on bulls which had received their first vaccination against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis at the insemination centre after they had tested negative to a serum neutralisation test or an ELISA test for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitis and which had been regularly re-vaccinated at intervals of not more than six months since the first vaccination (1);

1.6.4. fulfil the import conditions for bovine semen laid down in the Bluetongue Chapter of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE, depending on the status of the country or zone of residence; ****

1.6.5. were resident in the country of export in which the following serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) exist: ; and tested negative on two occasions not more than 12 months apart to an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test (4) and a virus neutralisation test for all above-listed serotypes of EHD, carried out in an approved laboratory on samples of blood taken prior to and not less than 21 days following collection of the semen; ***

1.6.6. were resident in the country of export in which the following serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) exist: ; and tested negative, prior to entry and at six-monthly intervals, to an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test (4) and a virus neutralisation test for all above-listed serotypes of EHD, carried out in an approved laboratory; **

1.6.7. tested negative on two occasions not more than 12 months apart to a serum neutralisation test for Akabane virus, carried out in an approved laboratory on samples of blood taken prior to and not less than 21 days following collection of the semen; *

1.7. The semen to be exported was collected after the date on which the centre was approved by the competent national authorities of the exporting country;

1.8. The semen to be exported was processed, stored and transported under conditions which satisfy the terms of Directive 88/407/EEC prior to its amendment by Directive 2003/43/EC.

Image 7

Notes

Note for importer: this certificate is for veterinary purposes only and must accompany the consignment until it reaches the border inspection post.

(1) Delete as necessary.

(2) [Box reference No I.28. in Part I]:

Identification mark: corresponding to the identification of the donor animals and the date of collection, that must be prior to 31 December 2004.

Approval number of the centre of origin: to be filled in if different from box reference No I.11.

(3) Countries listed in Annex I to Decision 2004/639/EC.

(4) Standards for EHD virus diagnostic tests are described in the Bluetongue Chapter of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.

**** To be used only by Australia, Canada and the USA.

*** To be used only by Australia and the USA.

** To be used only by Canada.

- To be used only by Australia.

NB: This certificate must:

(a) be drawn up in at least one official language of the Member State of destination and of the Member State where the semen will enter Community territory;

(b) be made out to a single consignee;

(c) accompany the semen in the original.

Official veterinarian

Name (in Capital):

Date:

Stamp

Qualification and title Signature:’

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