(1)

Council Directive 77/504/EEC of 25 July 1977 on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species (3) has been substantially amended several times (4). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified.

(2)

Cattle production occupies a very important place in Community agriculture, and satisfactory results depend to a large extent on the use of pure-bred breeding animals.

(3)

Disparities between Member States as regards breeds and standards hinder intra-Community trade. If these disparities are to be removed, thereby increasing agricultural productivity in this sector, intra-Community trade in all pure-bred breeding animals should be liberalised.

(4)

It should be possible for the Member States to insist on pedigree certificates drawn up in accordance with a Community procedure being presented.

(5)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (5).

(6)

This Directive is without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B,

(a)

‘pure-bred breeding animal of the bovine species’ means any bovine animal, including buffalo, the parents and grandparents of which are entered or registered in a herd-book of the same breed, and which is itself either entered or registered and eligible for entry in such a herd-book;

(b)

‘herd-book’ means any book, register, file or data medium:

(a)

intra-Community trade in pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species;

(b)

intra-Community trade in the semen, ova and embryos of pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species;

(c)

the establishment of herd-books, provided that they comply with the requirements laid down pursuant to Article 6;

(d)

the recognition of organisations or associations which maintain herd-books, in accordance with Article 6; and

(e)

subject to Council Directive 87/328/EEC of 18 June 1987 on the acceptance for breeding purposes of pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species (6), intra-Community trade in bulls used for artificial insemination.

(a)

performance monitoring methods and methods for assessing cattle's genetic value;

(b)

the criteria governing the recognition of breeders' organisations and associations;

(c)

the criteria governing the establishment of herd-books;

(d)

the criteria governing entry in herd-books;

(e)

the particulars to be shown on the pedigree certificate.