Intra-EU trade in and imports of bovine embryos

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 89/556/EEC — animal health conditions governing intra-EU trade in and importation from non-EU countries of cattle embryos

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It lays down animal health conditions for trade in embryos of domestic cattle between EU countries and their import from non-EU countries.
By this means, it aims to reduce the risk of spreading animal diseases.

KEY POINTS

Embryos for intra-EU trade must meet conditions concerning conception, collection, production, processing, storage and certification. They must be accompanied during transport by a health certificate certifying that they comply with this directive.
The directive envisages a system for approving the embryo collection and production teams in the EU countries and in non-EU countries. Each team is registered by the competent authority of the country concerned and receives a veterinary registration number.
The list of embryo collection and production teams is regularly updated by each EU country, then sent to the other EU countries and the public.
Imports of embryos from non-EU countries are restricted to those:
- from countries listed in accordance with a procedure provided for in Article 18 of the directive with regard to certain criteria, such as
  - the health of the livestock;
  - information on contagious diseases;
  - preventing and combating animal diseases;
  - the structure of veterinary services;
  - the guarantees provided;
- collected or produced by approved and listed embryo collection and production teams by competent authorities.
The directive provides for safeguard and control measures in the country of collection and the destination country.

Repeal

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 repeals and replaces Directive 89/556/EEC with effect from 21 April 2021.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 29 September 1989. EU countries had to incorporate it into national law by 1 January 1991.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

‘Bovine’ on the European Commission’s food safety website
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466 of 30 March 2020 on temporary measures to contain risks to human, animal and plant health and animal welfare during certain serious disruptions of Member States’ control systems due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Directive 89/556/EEC of 25 September 1989 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and importation from third countries of embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species (OJ L 302, 19.10.1989, pp. 1–11)

Successive amendments to Directive 89/556/EEC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.