Commission Decision of 7 February 2006 implementing Council Directive 94/28/EC as regards a list of authorities in third countries approved for the keeping of a herdbook or register of certain animals (notified under document number C(2006) 284) (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/139/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 94/28/EC of 23 June 1994 laying down the principles relating to the zootechnical and genealogical conditions applicable to imports from third countries of animals, their semen, ova and embryos, and amending Directive 77/504/EEC on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 3(1) thereof,

Whereas:

1. Directive 94/28/EC lays down the principles relating to the zootechnical and genealogical conditions that apply to imports from third countries of certain pure-bred animals and their semen, ova and embryos.

2. Pursuant to Directive 94/28/EC and without prejudice to Community legislation on animal health and public health the animals can only be imported as ‘pure bred’ or ‘hybrid’ if certain conditions are fulfilled. One of those conditions is that the animals are entered or registered in a herdbook or register kept by an authority as defined in that Directive and semen, ova and embryos can only be imported if they come from an animal which is entered or registered in such herdbook or register.

3. Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel, Iceland, New Zealand and the United States have communicated to the Commission a list of authorities which they have approved for the keeping of a herdbook or register of pure-bred animals to be imported under Directive 94/28/EC.

4. The list of authorities which are approved for the keeping of a herdbook or register in respect of the animals and products referred to in this Decision should therefore be established for the purposes of Directive 94/28/EC.

5. The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Zootechnics,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: