THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Directive 77/504/EEC of 25 July 1977 on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species(1), as last amended by Regulation EEC No 3768/85(2) and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas Directive 77/504/EEC was intended gradually to liberalize intra-Community trade in pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species; whereas, for this purpose, additional harmonization with regard to the acceptance of such animals and their semen for breeding purposes is necessary ;
Whereas, in this respect, it is necessary to prevent national provisions relating to the acceptance for breeding purposes of pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species and their semen from constituting a prohibition, restriction or impediment to intra-Community trade either in the case of natural service or artificial insemination ;
Whereas there must be no prohibition, restriction or impediment on pure-bred female animals of the bovine species for breeding purposes ;
Whereas artificial insemination constitutes an important technique for increasing the use of the best breeders and, hence, for improving the bovine species; whereas in so doing, however, any impairment of the pedigree must be avoided, particularly with regard to male breeders, which must possess all guarantees of their genetic value and of their freedom from hereditary defects ;
Whereas it is necessary to make a distinction between the acceptance for artificial insemination of pure-bred bulls and their semen which have undergone all the official tests laid down for their breed in a Member State and the acceptance of bulls and their semen accepted solely for the purposes of testing ;
Whereas it is useful to establish a procedure for solving, in particular, difficulties that may arise in the assessment of the results of tests ;
Whereas the provision that semen must come from officially approved centres responsible for artificial insemination is capable of providing the guarantees necessary for attaining the desired end ;
Whereas it is desirable that pure-bred bulls and their semen be identified by blood grouping or any other appropriate methods ;
Whereas it is useful to provide for the designation of certain bodies for collaborating in the harmonization of testing methods and of the assessment of results ;
Whereas in the light of particular conditions currently existing in Spain and Portugal it is necessary to provide for an additional prolongation for the implementation of this Directive,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE :