No C 348/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 23.12.87 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Directive concerning pure-bred breeding sheep and goats 
COM(87) 591 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 3 December 1987) 
(87/C 348/07) 
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 Par­
liament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
"Whereas the breeding and rearing of sheep and goats has 
an important place in Community agriculture; whereas 
these activities can constitute a source of income for part 
of the farming population; 
Whereas sheep and goat breeding should be encouraged 
and whereas satisfactory results in that respect depend 
largely on the use of pure-bred animals; 
Whereas disparities exist as regards entry in flock books; 
whereas those disparities constitute a barrier to trade 
within the Community; whereas complete liberalization 
of trade calls for subsequent harmonization particularly 
regarding entry in flock books; 
Whereas, in order to remove those disparities and 
thereby contribute to increasing agricultural productivity 
in the sector, intra-Community trade should be 
liberalized; 
Whereas Member States should be authorized to require 
that genealogical certificates drawn up in accordance 
with Community rules be presented; 
Whereas provisions should be introduced preventing 
pure-bred breeding sheep and goats from being imported 
from third countries on terms which are less stringent 
than those applicable within the Community; 
Whereas implementing measures should be adopted 
regarding certain technical aspects; whereas, for the 
purposes of the planned measures, provision should be 
made for close cooperation between the Member States 
and the Commission within the Standing Committee on 
Zootechnics, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
1. This Directive covers zootechnical problems which 
may arise in intra-Community trade in pure-bred 
breeding sheep and goats and the semen, ova and 
embryos thereof. 
2. Pending the entry into force of the relevant 
Community provisions, national animal health rules 
shall, provided they comply with the general provisions 
of the Treaty, apply in respect of intra-Community 
trade. 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive: 
(a) 'pure-bred breeding sheep or goat' shall be taken to 
mean any sheep or goat the parents and 
grandparents of which are entered or registered in a 
flock book of the same breed and which is itself 
entered or registered and eligible for entry therein; 
(b) 'flock book' shall be taken to mean any book, 
register, file or data medium: 
— which is maintained by a breeders' organization 
or association officially recognized by a Member 
State in which the breeders' organisation or 
association was constitued, or by an official 
agency of the Member State in question, and 
— in which pure-bred breeding sheep or goats of a 
given breed are entered or registered with 
mention of their ascendants. 
Article 3 
Member States shall ensure that intra-Community trade 
in sheep and goats and in semen, ova and embryos 
thereof is not prohibited or restricted on zootechnical 
grounds. 
23.12.87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 348/7 
Article 4 
The Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure 
laid down in Article 8, determine before 1 January 1990: 
— the criteria for the recognition of breeders' organ­
izations and associations which maintain or establish 
flock books, 
— the criteria for entry or registration in flock books, 
— the criteria for approval for off-farm mating, 
— the methods for monitoring the performance of 
breeding animals, 
— the criteria for the approval of a breeding animal for 
the purpose of using its semen or ova. 
Article 5 
Member States shall notify the Commission and the 
other Member States of the breeders' organizations and 
associations which are recognized for the purpose of 
maintaining or establishing flock books and which meet 
the criteria determined in accordance with the first 
indent of Article 4. 
Article 6 
In intra-Community trade, Member States may require 
that pure-bred breeding sheep or goats and semen, ova 
and embryos thereof be accompanied by a zootechnical 
certificate which conforms to a model drawn up by the 
Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down 
in Article 8. Article 7 
Until Community rules are implemented, the conditions 
applicable to imports of pure-bred breeding sheep or 
goats from third countries must not be more favourable 
than those governing intra-Community trade. 
Article 8 
Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be 
used, the Standing Committee on Zootechnics set up by 
Council Decision 77/505/EEC ('), hereinafter referred 
to as 'the committee', shall consider requests for opinions 
submitted by the Commission. 
When seeking the opinion of the committee, the 
Commission may fix a time limit for the delivery of such 
opinion. 
The committee's deliberations shall not lead to any vote. 
However, members of the committee may require that 
their views be placed on record in the minutes of the 
meeting. 
Article 9 
The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regu­
lations and administrative provisions necessary to comply 
with this Directive by 1 January 1990 at the latest. They 
shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
Article 10 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
(') OJ No L 206, 12. 8. 1977, p. 11.