Directive 89/556/EEC sets out the animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and importation from third countries of embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species.

That Directive provides, inter alia, that bovine embryos are not to be sent from one Member State to another unless they have been conceived by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation using semen from a donor sire standing at a semen collection centre approved by the competent authority for the collection, processing and storage of semen or semen imported in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC of 14 June 1988 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species2.

The model animal health certificate for intra-Community trade in embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species is laid down in Annex C to Directive 89/556/EEC. That certificate does not contain any specific requirements concerning semen used for fertilisation.

Problems have been encountered in trade in embryos in particular following the adoption of stricter rules for the admission of bulls into semen collection centres in Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Directive 2003/43/EC3.

In order to avoid certification problems, an additional certification requirement should be included in the current model animal health certificate providing for an obligation that semen used for fertilisation is to comply with Directive 88/407/EEC.

Directive 89/556/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,