It introduces new rules on the conditions for the breeding, trade and import into the European Union (EU) of breeding animals and their germinal products*.
It amends Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 and Directives 89/608/EEC and 90/425/EEC, and repeals Directives 90/118/EEC, 90/119/EEC, 90/427/EEC, 91/174/EEC, 94/28/EC, 2005/24/EC and 2009/157/EC and Decision 96/463/EC, with effect from 1 November 2018.

KEY POINTS

The ‘animal breeding regulation’ provides a single set of rules applicable to the breeding, trade in and entry into the EU of breeding animals of the bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine species and their germinal products. Its purpose is:

to consolidate existing rules for the promotion of free trade in breeding animals and their germinal products and to update those rules to technical advances and established practices while protecting genetic diversity;
to promote cross-border activities of breed societies that provide their services under fair competition conditions;
to simplify the legislative framework in a single regulation adapted to the Treaty of Lisbon, which replaces eight species-specific directives;
to establish rules on official controls and activities following the principles of the regulation on official controls.

Implementing and delegated acts

Under this regulation, the European Commission has been given the power to adopt further legal acts which:

update it to reflect developments in the sector (delegated acts); and
ensure that it is implemented properly (implementing acts).

Delegated act

The Commission has adopted a delegated act on model forms of zootechnical* certificates for purebred breeding animals of the equine species (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1940).

Implementing acts

The Commission has also adopted a series of implementing acts to make applicable certain aspects of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012. These cover matters such as:

the designation of the EU reference centre to work on the methods of performance testing and genetic evaluation of purebred breeding animals of the bovine species;
model forms of zootechnical certificates for breeding animals and their germinal products;
model forms to be used for the information to be included in the lists of recognised breed societies and breeding operations;
rules for entering information of purebred breeding animals of the equine species in the zootechnical certificate contained in the single lifetime identification document.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since1 November 2018, except for Article 65 (amendments to existing legislation) which has applied since 19 July 2016.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Zootechnics (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Germinal products: semen, oocytes (immature egg cell of the animal ovary) and embryos collected or produced from breeding animals for the purpose of assisted reproduction.

Zootechnical: relating to the technology of animal husbandry.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on zootechnical and genealogical conditions for the breeding, trade in and entry into the Union of purebred breeding animals, hybrid breeding pigs and the germinal products thereof and amending Regulation (EU) No 652/2014, Council Directives 89/608/EEC and 90/425/EEC and repealing certain acts in the area of animal breeding (‘animal breeding regulation’) (OJ L 171, 29.6.2016, pp. 66-143)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation)Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, pp. 1-142)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/716 of 10 April 2017 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the model forms to be used for the information to be included in the lists of recognised breed societies and breeding operations (OJ L 109, 26.4.2017, pp. 1-8)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/717 of 10 April 2017 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the model forms of zootechnical certificates for breeding animals and their germinal products (OJ L 109, 26.4.2017, pp. 9-63)

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1422 of 4 August 2017 designating the European Union reference centre responsible for the scientific and technical contribution to the harmonisation and improvement of the methods of performance testing and genetic evaluation of purebred breeding animals of the bovine species (OJ L 204, 5.8.2017, pp. 78-79)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1940 of 13 July 2017 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the content and format of zootechnical certificates issued for purebred breeding animals of the equine species contained in a single lifetime identification document for equidae (OJ L 275, 25.10.2017, pp. 1-8)

last update 22.07.2021

Top