Council Directive
of 14 June 1988
laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of[F1 deep-frozen] semen of domestic animals of the bovine species
(88/407/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and 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 provisions relating to animal health problems in intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine appear in Directive 64/432/EEC(4), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85(5); whereas in addition, Directive 72/462/EEC(6), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85 contains provisions relating to veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine from third countries;
Whereas the abovementioned provisions have ensured, with regard to intra-Community trade and imports into the Community of bovine animals and swine from third countries, that the country of provenance guarantees that animal health criteria have been fulfilled so that the risk of animal disease spreading has been virtually eliminated; whereas there is nevertheless a certain risk of the spread of such disease in the case of trade in semen;
Whereas in the context of the Community policy of harmonizing national animal health provisions governing intra-Community trade in animals and animal products, it is now necessary to create a harmonized system for intra-Community trade and imports into the Community of semen of bovine animals;
Whereas, in the context of intra-Community trade in semen, the Member State where the semen is collected should be under an obligation to ensure that such semen has been collected and processed at approved and supervised semen collection centres, has been obtained from animals whose health status is such as to ensure that the risk of spread of animal disease is eliminated, has been collected, processed, stored and transported in accordance with rules which preserve its health status and is accompanied during transport to the country of destination by an animal health certificate in order to ensure that this obligation has been fulfilled;
Whereas the difference in the policies pursued within the Community with regard to vaccination against certain diseases justifies the maintenance of derogations, limited in time, authorizing the requirement by the Member States, in respect of certain diseases, of additional protection against those diseases;
Whereas for imports of semen into the Community from third countries a list of third countries should be drawn up taking into account animal health criteria; whereas without prejudice to such a list the Member States should authorize importation of semen only from semen collection centres which reach certain standards and which are officially supervised; whereas, in addition, in respect of countries on that list, specific animal health conditions should be laid down according to circumstances; whereas, in order to verify compliance with these standards, on-the-spot checks may be carried out;
Whereas a procedure should be provided for the purpose of settling any disputes which arise between Member States as to whether approval of a collection centre is justified;
Whereas the Member States may refuse a consignment of semen where it has been established that it does not comply with the provisions of this Directive; whereas it must be possible to return such semen if this is not contrary to considerations of animal health and if the consignor or his representative so requests; whereas the consignor or his representative should be allowed to know the reasons for a prohibition or restriction and to obtain the opinion of an expert;
Whereas in order to prevent the transmission of certain contagious diseases, import controls should be carried out when a consignment of semen arrives on the territory of the Community, except in the case of external transit;
Whereas after such control, in the case of internal transit, the measures to be taken by Member States must be defined;
Whereas a Member State should be permitted to take emergency measures in the event of an outbreak of a contagious disease in another Member State or in a third country; whereas the dangers associated with such diseases and the protective measures they necessitate should be assessed in the same way throughout the Community; whereas to that end, an emergency Community procedure under which the necessary measures must be taken should be instituted within the Standing Veterinary Committee;
Whereas the Commission should be entrusted with taking certain measures for implementing this Directive; whereas to that end, a procedure should be established for close and effective cooperation between the Commission and the Member States within the Standing Veterinary Committee;
Whereas this Directive does not affect trade in semen produced before the date on which the Member States must comply with it.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Textual Amendments