WRITTEN QUESTION E-1450/99

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Haflinger stud book

The Haflinger Breeders' Association of the Tyrol has been endeavouring for a number of years to obtain the original stud book for the Haflinger breed from the EU. The authoritative publication is the first stud book which appeared in 1921 in Zams (North Tyrol).

1. Why has no stud book been published for Haflinger horses?

2. What are the fundamental rules governing the publication of a stud book for horses?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(4 November 1999)

Council Directive 90/427/EEC of 26 June 1990(1) laid down the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae.

Commission Decision 92/353/EEC of 11 June 1992(2) laid down the criteria for the approval or recognition of organisations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae. Minimum requirements for these stud-books are specified in the Annex to this Decision, including the extensive obligations of an organisation or association which establishes or maintains the stud-book of the origin of the breed.

Commission Decision 92/354/EEC of 11 June 1992(3) laid down certain rules to ensure coordination between organisations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae. This Decision stipulates in particular the procedures to be set in motion in order to settle disputes. It provides that, where disputes arise concerning the application of Community law, the Commission may intervene on its own initiative or at the request of one of the competent authorities.

The Council has given the Commission only limited jurisdiction with regard to the breeding of horses. The relevant authorities in the Member States are responsible for the recognition of breeders' organisations and associations. These authorities inform the Commission of the organisations and associations they have approved and the Commission makes this information available to all Member States.

According to the letter of 4 October 1995 from the Italian breeders' association to the Commission, the three most important breeding areas for the Haflinger breed Austria, Italy and Germany had agreed on 26 July 1993 in Munich-Riem to grant the Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavalli di Razza Avelignese the status of holder of the stud-book of origin.

On 16 November 1995 Austria informed the Commission that the Razza Avelignese held the stud-book of origin and that Italy was the country of origin of the Haflinger breed of horses for the Haflinger Horse Breeders Association of Tyrol.

However, the current register of organisations recognised in Austria, dated 1 July 1999, identifies the Haflinger Horse Breeders Association of Tyrol as holder of the stud-book of origin of the Haflinger breed. The Commission will obtain further information from the Austrian authorities concerning the renewed approval procedure.

Other Member States recognise either Italy or more specifically the Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavalli di Razza Avelignese as holder of the stud-book of origin.

Some Member States' records list both Austria and Italy as breeding areas of origin. This is certainly because the current stud population stems largely from these breeding areas.

Both breeders' organisations concerned have contacted the Commission repeatedly and independently about their own problems, yet the authorities in neither Italy nor Austria have officially requested assistance to resolve the dispute in accordance with Article 2(4) of Decision 92/354/EEC.

In the Commission's view the issue of the stud-book concerning the origin of a breed can be resolved in the context of an official approval procedure by the competent authorities of the Member States in accordance with the rules.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.

(2) OJ L 192, 11.7.1992.

(3) OJ L 192, 11.7.1992.