COMMISSION DECISION of 10 January 1996 laying down the criteria for entry and registration of equidae in stud-books for breeding purposes (Text with EEA relevance) (96/78/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/427/EEC of 26 June 1990 on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions govering intra-Community trade in equidae (1), and in particular Article 4 (2) (b) thereof,

Whereas under Article 4 (2) (b) of Directive 90/427/EEC the harmonized criteria govering the entry of equidae in stud-books should be established;

Whereas it is therefore necessary to lay down the criteria for the entry of equidae in stud-books for breeding purposes;

Whereas precise conditions relating to lineage and identification must be met prior to entry in the stud-book;

Whereas allowance should be made for the division of the stud-book into different sections and classes so that certain types of animals will not be excluded;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Zootechnics,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. To qualify for entry in the main section of the stud-book of its breed registered equidae must:

- be descended from parents entered in the main section of a stud-book of that same breed and have a pedigree established in accordance with the rules of that stud-book,

- be identified as foal at foot according to the rules of that stud-book, which at least should require the covering certificate.

2. In derogation from the first indent of paragraph 1, an animal can be entered in the main section to take part in a cross breeding programme approved by the organization or association according to the rules of that stud-book. The cross breeding programme should mention the breeds which are allowed to take part.

Article 2

1. The main section of a stud-book may be divided in conformity with No 3 (b), fifth indent, of the Annex of Commission Decision 92/353/EEC (2) laying down the criteria for the approval or recognition of organizations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae into several classes according to the animals' merits. Only equidae meeting the criteria laid down in Article 1 may be entered in one of those classes.

2. Where a stud-book contains several classes in the main section, an animal from another stud-book shall be entered in the class of the stud-book whose criteria it meets.

Article 3

1. An organization or association keeping a stud-book may decide that an animal, which does not meet the criteria laid down in Article 1, may be entered in a supplementary section of that stud-book. The animal must meet the following requirements:

- be identified in accordance with the stud-book rules,

- be judged to conform to the breed standard,

- have a minimum performance as laid down in the stud-book rules.

2. The organization or association should fix the rules allowing progeny of such animals to enter the main section.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 10 January 1996.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 55.

(2) OJ No L 192, 11. 7. 1992, p. 63.