Article 1 
This Directive lays down the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae, their semen, ova and embryos.
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive: (a) ‘equidae’ means domestic animals of the equine or asinine species or crossbreeds thereof; (b) ‘registered equidae’ means equidae which are entered or registered and eligible for entry in a studbook, in accordance with the rules laid down pursuant to Article 4 (2) (b) and identified by means of the identification document provided for in Article 8(1); (c) ‘studbook’ means any book, register, file or data medium: — which is maintained either by an organization or an association officially approved or recognized by a Member State or by an official agency of the Member State concerned, and — in which equidae are entered or registered with mention of all their known ascendants. (c) ‘studbook’ means any book, register, file or data medium: — which is maintained either by an organization or an association officially approved or recognized by a Member State or by an official agency of the Member State concerned, and — in which equidae are entered or registered with mention of all their known ascendants.
Article 3 
Intra-Community trade in equidae and their semen, ova and embryos may not be prohibited or restricted on zootechnical or genealogical grounds other than those resulting from application of this Directive. However, in the case of intra-Community trade in registered equidae, their semen, ova and embryos, national provisions which comply with the general rules of the Treaty shall be maintained pending the entry into force of the relevant Community decisions referred to in Articles 4 and 8.
Article 4 
1. The following principles shall be taken into account when the decisions referred to in paragraph 2 are adopted: (a) the recognition or approval of organizations and associations which maintain or establish studbooks shall be subject to compliance with the principles laid down by the organization or association which maintains the studbook of the origin of the breed; (b) the criteria for entry and registration in studbooks shall be laid down on the basis of the characteristics of the breed and in particular for certain pure breeds of the need to regulate the entry and registration of equidae produced using artificial reproduction methods. 2. The Commission shall establish under the procedure laid down in Article 10 and in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 1: (a) the criteria for the approval or recognition of organizations and associations which maintain or establish studbooks; (b) the criteria for entry and registration in studbooks; (c) if necessary, the criteria and methods used to identify registered equidae; (d) the criteria for drawing up the certificate of origin and the identification document referred to in Article 8; (e) if necessary, rules to ensure coordination between the organizations or associations referred to in Article 5.
Article 5 
Member States shall draw up and keep up to date the list of bodies maintaining or establishing studbooks as referred to in Article 2(c), first indent, which are approved or recognised on the basis of the criteria determined in accordance with Article 4(2)(a) and make it available to the other Member States and to the public. Detailed rules for the uniform application of this Article may be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10.
Article 6 
1. In intra-Community trade, equidae, which are registered in the Member State of dispatch must, except where a derogation has been agreed by common accord between the two organizations or associations concerned, be registered or entered in the appropriate studbook of the Member State of destination under the same name, with an indication, in accordance with international agreements, of the initial(s) of the country of foaling. 2. Where the constitution of the organizations or associations so permits: — the original name of the animal may be preceded or followed by another name on a provisional or permanent basis, provided that throughout the animal’s life the original name is retained in brackets and that the country of birth is indicated by means of the initial(s) recognized by international agreements, — alternative measures may be taken to safeguard the continued identity of the animal in accordance with procedures to be determined by the Commission under the procedure laid down in Article 10.
Article 7 
The Commission, may, in so far as may be necessary to ensure uniform application of the provisions of this Directive and in compliance with the principles laid down in Article 4 (1), determine in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10: (a) the methods of monitoring performance and assessing the genetic value of breeding animals; (b) on the basis of the methods referred to in (a), the general criteria for the approval of a male breeding animal or, if appropriate, of a female breeding animal for the purposes of breeding and using their semen, ova or embryos.
Article 8 
Member States shall ensure that: 1. in their movements, registered equidae are accompanied by an identification document drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10 and issued by the organizations or associations referred to in Article 5 of this Directive and Article 2 (c) of Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990, on animal health conditions governing the movement between Member States and import from third countries of equidae ( 4 ). The identification document, to be drawn up in the Community languages, for registered horses must include at least the information indicated in the Annex; that information may be supplemented or amended in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10; 1. in their movements, registered equidae are accompanied by an identification document drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10 and issued by the organizations or associations referred to in Article 5 of this Directive and Article 2 (c) of Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990, on animal health conditions governing the movement between Member States and import from third countries of equidae ( 4 ). The identification document, to be drawn up in the Community languages, for registered horses must include at least the information indicated in the Annex; that information may be supplemented or amended in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10; 2. When they are marketed, the semen, ova and embryos of registered equidae are accompanied by a zootechnical certificate of origin and identification issued by the competent authority at least in the language of the country of destination and conforming to a model to be drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10. Final provisions
Article 9 
Pending implementation of relevant Community rules, the conditions applicable to imports of equidae and their semen, ova and embryos from third countries must not be more favourable than those governing intra-Community trade.
Article 10 
Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be used, the Standing Committee on Zootechnics set up by Decision 77/505/EEC ( 5 ), shall act in accordance with the rules set out in Article 11 of Directive 88/661/EEC ( 6 ).
Article 11 
The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 1 July 1991 at the latest. ey shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
Article 12 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.