Council Directive 91/174/EEC of 25 March 1991 laying down zootechnical and pedigree requirements for the marketing of pure-bred animals and amending Directives 77/504/EEC and 90/425/EEC

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 25 March 1991  laying down zootechnical and pedigree requirements for the marketing of pure-bred animals and amending Directives 77/504/EEC and 90/425/EEC  (91/174/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas pure-bred animals, being 'live animals', are included in the list in Annex II to the Treaty;
Whereas pure-bred animals are generally reared in the context of farming activities; whereas the rearing of such animals constitutes a source of income for part of the farming population and should therefore be encouraged;
Whereas specific rules for the harmonization of zootechnical legislation have been laid down at Community level for cattle, swine, sheep, goats and equidae;
Whereas, to ensure the rational development of the rearing of pure-bred animals and thus increase productivity in that sector, rules for the marketing of such animals should be laid down at Community level;
Whereas, in principle, intra-Community trade must not be prohibited, restricted or impeded;
Whereas it is appropriate that the provisions applicable to pure-bred breeding cattle should be extended to pure-bred breeding buffalo and that Directive 77/504/EEC (4) should be amended as a result;
Whereas it should be stipulated that the provisions of Directive 90/425/EEC (5) apply to this sector;
Whereas provisions should be introduced preventing pure-bred animals from being imported from third countries on terms which are more favourable than those applied within the Community,