1.The Member States shall ensure that, without prejudice to the decisions to be taken in implementation of Articles 21 and 23, only semen, ova and embryos meeting the conditions laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 are the subject of trade.
2.Semen of the ovine, caprine and equine species must, without prejudice to any criteria to be complied with for the entry of equids in stud books for certain specific breeds:
have been collected and processed with a view to artificial insemination in a centre approved from the health point of view in accordance with Annex D (I), or, in the case of ovine and caprine animals by way of derogation from the above, in a holding satisfying the requirements of Directive 91/68/EEC,
have been collected from animals meeting the conditions laid down in Annex D (II) (admission and routine checks on animals),
have been collected, processed and preserved in accordance with Annex D (III),
have been accompanied during transport to another Member State by a health certificate corresponding to a specimen to be determined under the procedure provided for in Article 26.
3.Ova and embryos of the ovine/caprine and equine species and of swine must:
have been removed by a collection team approved by the competent authority of the Member State and processed in an appropriate laboratory from donor females meeting the conditions laid down in Annex D (IV),
have been treated and stored in accordance with Annex D (III),
be accompanied during transport to another Member State by a health certificate corresponding to a specimen to be defined under the procedure laid down in Article 26.
Semen used for the insemination of donor females must comply with the provisions of paragraph 2 in the case of sheep, goats and equids and with the provisions of Directive 90/429/EEC for swine. Any additional guarantees may be determined under the procedure laid down in Article 26.
4.Before 31 December 1997 the Commission shall submit a report together with any appropriate proposals on the implementation of this Article in the light in particular of scientific and technological developments.