The Zootechnical Standards Regulations 1992

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 89/361/EEC (OJ No. L153, 6.6.89, p.30) concerning pure bred breeding sheep and goats, Council Directive 88/661/EEC (OJ No. L382, 31.12.88, p.36) on the zootechnical standards applicable to breeding animals of the porcine species and Council Directive 77/504/EEC (OJ No. L206, 12.8.77, p.8) and article 3 of Council Directive 91/174/EEC (OJ No. L85, 5.4.91, p.37) on pure bred breeding animals of the bovine species.

The zootechnical requirements for trade between the United Kingdom and member states of the Economic Community in relation to each animal species and their semen, ova and embryos are in standard form as follows—

(1) organisations which establish or maintain a flock book or herd book must fulfil certain criteria in order to be recognised. In relation to sheep and goats the criteria are set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 90/254/EEC, in relation to pure bred breeding pigs in the Annex to Commission Decision 89/501/EEC, in relation to hybrid breeding pigs in the Annex to Commission Decision 89/504/EEC, and in relation to bovines in the Annex to Commission Decision 84/247/EEC (regulation 3(1));

(2) animals which are to be entered in a flock book or herd book must satisfy certain criteria in order to be registered. In relation to sheep and goats the criteria are set out in Commission Decision 90/255/EEC, in relation to pure bred breeding pigs in Commission Decision 89/502/EEC, in relation to hybrid breeding pigs in Commission Decision 89/505/EEC, and in relation to bovines in Commission Decision 84/419/EEC (regulation 3(3));

(3) the zootechnical certificate to be issued by a recognised organisation must contain certain information. In relation to sheep and goats this information is set out in Council Decision 90/258/EEC, in relation to pure bred breeding pigs in Commission Decision 89/503/EEC, in relation to hybrid breeding pigs in Commission Decision 89/506/EEC, and in relation to bovines in Commission Decision 86/404/EEC (regulation 3(4));

(4) animals which are registered in a flock book or herd book must comply with certain performance and genetic value criteria. In relation to sheep and goats the criteria are specified in the Annex to Commission Decision 90/256/EEC, in relation to pure bred and hybrid breeding pigs in the Annex to Commission Decision 89/507/EEC, and in relation to bovines in the Annex to Commission Decision 86/130/EEC (regulation 4);

(5) animals which satisfy certain criteria must be accepted by recognised organisations for breeding purposes. In relation to sheep and goats the criteria are set out in Commission Decision 90/257/EEC, in relation to pure-bred breeding pigs in Council Directive 90/118/EEC, in relation to hybrid breeding pigs in Council Directive 90/119/EEC and in relation to bovines in Council Directive 87/328/EEC.