COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES 
COM(93) 497 final 
Brussels, 18 October 1993 
i 
I Proposal for a 
S • 
J COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
laying down the principles relating to the zootechnica 
and genealogical conditions applicable to imports 
from third countries of animals, their semen, ovules 
and embryos 
i (presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
In connection with harmonizing zootechnical and genealogical rules, the 
Council has adopted: 
Directive 77/504/EEC on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine 
species.1 
Directive 88/661/EEC on the zootechnical standards applicable to 
breeding animals of the porcine species.2 
Directive 89/361/EEC concerning pure-bred breeding sheep and goats.3 
Directive 90/427/EEC on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions 
governing intra-Community trade in equidae.4 
Directive 91/174/EEC laying down zootechnical and pedigree requirements 
for the marketing of pure-bred animals and amending 
Directives 77/504/EEC and 90/425/EEC.5 
These rules are valid solely in respect of intra-Community trade or for the 
marketing of these animals on Community territory. 
With a view to harmonizing import rules, principles need to be laid down at 
Community level relating to the zootechnical and genealogical conditions 
applicable to imports of these animals, their semen, ovules and embryos. 
These imports will have to be subject to similar requirements to those 
which apply in respect of Community production. 
Provision is made in particular for: 
the establishment of approved third country authorities, 
the requirement of a genealogical and zootechnical certificate, 
conditions relating to entry or registration in a herd book or 
register. 
Tne rules in Directives 91/496/EEC6 and 90/675/EEC7 will be applicable as 
égards inspection. 
1 Go No L 206 of 12.8.1977, p. 8. 
2 0J No L 382 of 31.12.1988, p. 36. 
3 0J No L 153 of 6.6.1989, p. 30. 
4 0J No L 224 of 18.8.1990, p. 55. 
5 0J No L 85 of 5.4.1991, p. 37. 
6 0J No L 268 of 24.9.1991, p. 56. 
7 0J No L 373 of 31.12.1990, p. 1. 
The purpose of the proposed nsgasure it to lay down the principes go e". =^ 
imports of pure-bred animals into the Community. This has already been den» 
for intra-Community trade. 
By virtue of the objectives of the proposed measure, which form part of the 
single market, the Community has exclusive responsibility for the measure. 
To comply with the objectives of the measure, rules need to be adopted, 
setting out the general objectives, in the form of a Directive. 
Implementation will be a matter for the Member States, without prejudice to 
the adoption of rules of application by the Commission in accordance with 
the advisory committee procedure (procedure 1). 
- 2> -
Proposal 
for a 
CounciI Direct ive 
laying down the principles relating to the zootechnica 
and genealogical conditions applicable to imports 
from third countries of animals, their semen, ovules 
and embryos 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
and in particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 
Whereas the rearing of pure-bred animals is generally part of normal 
farming activities; whereas they constitute a source of income for a 
proportion of the farming population; 
Whereas pure-bred animals, as live animals, are included in the list in 
Annex II to the Treaty; 
Whereas as far as all animals, and particularly as far as the bovine, 
porcine, ovine, caprine species and equidae, are concerned, rules 
harmonized at Community level relating to the zootechnical and genealogica 
conditions governing intra-Community trade or their marketing have been 
drawn up; 
LL -I 
Whereas, in this context, the Council has adopted Directive ~:"7/£0*;/E'-X c 
pure-bred breeding animais o- the bovine species1, last amen?o. by 
Directive 91/174/EEC5, Directive 80/6G1/EEC on the zootechnical standard; 
applicable to br-eding animais of the porcine species2, DirscUve 
89/361/EEC concerning pure-bred bre6ding sheep and goats'', Directive 
S0/427/EEC on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-
Community treds in equidae4 and Directive 91/174/EEC laying down 
zootechnical and pedigree requirements for the marketing of pure-bred 
animals and amending Directives 77/504/EEC and 90/425/EEC5; 
Whereas, in order especially to ensure rational development of the rearing 
of pure-bred livestock and thus inc ease productivity in this sector, 
principles should be laid down at Community level relating to the 
zootechnical and genealogical conditions applicable to the importation of 
these animals from third countries; 
Whereas the Commission should be entrusted with the responsibility of 
adopting implementing measures in certain fields of a technical nature, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Art icle 1 
1. This Directive lays down the principles relating to the zootechnical 
and genealogical conditions applicable to imports from third countries 
of animals, semen, ovules and embryos which are covered by 
Directives 77/504/EEC, 88/661/EEC, 89/361/EEC, 90/427/EEC and 
91/174/EEC. 
2. This Directive shall apply without prejudice to the Community animal 
health rules applicable to imports from third countries of animals and 
products as referred to in paragraph 1. 
1 OJ No L 206 of 12.8.1977, p. 8. 
2 OJ No L 382 of 31.12.1988, p. 36 
3 0J No L 153 of 6.6.1989, p. 30.. 
4 OJ No L 224 of 18.8.1990, p. 55. 
5 OJ No L 85 of 5.4.1991, p. 37. 
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Art icle 2 
1. For the purposes of this Directive, "authorities" means any 
organization, stockrearing organization, breeders' association, private 
undertaking or official service which is permitted, in respect of the 
species concerned, to keep a herd book or register in accordance with 
the relevant provisions of Directives 77/504/EEC, 88/661/EEC, 
89/361/EEC, 90/427/EEC and 91/174/EEC. 
2. Furthermore, the definitions in Article 2 of Directives 77/504/EEC, 
88/661/EEC, 89/361/EEC, 90/427/EEC and 91/174/EEC shall be applicable 
if necessary. 
Art icle 3 
1. A list of authorities of third countries approved for the purposes of 
this Directive shall be drawn up, in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 11, in respect of the animals and products referred to 
in Article 1(1) and for each third country. 
2. In order to appear on the list provided for in paragraph 1, the third 
country authority must: 
(a) appear on a list drawn up by the competent authorities of the third 
country and communicated to the Commission; 
(b) comply, in the case of each species, with the relevant requirements 
laid down by Community legislation for authorities approved in the 
Community and in particular:: 
the provisions applicable to entry and registration in herd 
books or registers, 
the provisions applicable to the acceptance of animals for 
breeding purposes, 
the provisions applicable to the use of semen, ovules and 
embryos of animals, 
the methods used to check performance and assess the genetic 
value of animals, 
(c) be supervised by an official inspection service of the third 
country. 
Art icle 4 
To be imported, animals as referred to in Article 1 must: 
be entered or registered in a herd book or register kept by an 
authority named on a list as referred to in Article 3(1), 
be accompanied by a pedigree and zootechnical certificate to be drawn 
up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11, 
be accompanied by evidence that they are going to be entered or 
registered in a Community herd book or register. 
'"• f':<^ " '-•' ' - ' >JL nc t..u~ Article grr ' t ; ^ *r. * *•.. .:. 
''.','••;.•'•"';' .)».•.'-•''' . - jtfio' -^vy- "'wunity »oVf-l <.. 
To be imported, semen as referred to in Article 1 must: 
t h • 
come from an animal which is entered or registered in a herd book or 
register kept by an authority shown on one of the lists referred to in 
Article 3(1); 
come from an animal which has undergone the performance checks and 
genetic value assessment to be determined in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 11; 
be accompanied by a pedigree and zootechnical certificate to be drawn 
up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11. 
Art icle 6 
To be imported, ovules as referred to in Article 1 must: 
come from an animal which is entered or registered in a herd book or 
register kept by an authority shown on one of the lists referred to in 
Article 3(1); 
be accompanied by a pedigree and zootechnical certificate to be drawn 
up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11. 
Article 7 
To be imported, embryos as referred to In Article 1 must: 
come from an animal which is entered or registered in a herd book or 
register kept by an authority shown on one of the lists referred to in 
Article 3(1); 
be accompanied by a pedigree and zootechnical certificate to be drawn 
up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11. 
Article 8 
1. The provisions of Council Directive 91/496/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying 
down the principles relating to the organization of veterinary 
inspections for animals from third countries and amending 
Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 90/675/EEC1, as last amended by 
Directive 92/438/EEC2, shall be applicable in respect of animals as 
referred to in Article 1(1). 
2. The provisions of Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 
laying down principles relating to the organization of veterinary 
checks in respect of products from third countries brought into the 
Community3, as last amended by Directive 92/438/EEC, shall be 
applicable in respect of semen, ovules and embryos as referred to in 
Article 1(1). 
3. If necessary, specific detailed implementing rules for the purposes of 
the zootechnical checks resulting from this Article shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11. 
1 OJ No L 268 Of 24.9.1991, p. 56. 
2 OJ No L 243 Of 25.8.1992, p. 27. 
3 OJ No L 373 of 31.12.1990, p. 1. 
- s -
Article 12 
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive no later 
than 1 June 1994. They shall notify the Commission thereof. 
When Member States adopt these provisions, they shall contain a reference 
to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion 
of their official publication. The methods of making such a reference shall 
belaid down by the Member States. 
Article 13 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels For the Council 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(93) 497 final 
DOCUMENTS 
ËN 06 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-532-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-59809-3 
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