Commission Regulation (EC) No 509/1999
of 8 March 1999
concerning an extension of the maximum period laid down for the application of ear-tags to bison (Bison bison spp.)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 of 21 April 1997 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products(1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,
Having regard to the request submitted by the United Kingdom and France,
Whereas the United Kingdom and France have requested for an extension to nine months of the maximum period laid down for the application of ear-tags to bison, due to practical difficulties;
Whereas as bison might be reared in other Member States too, this extension should apply for all Member States;
Whereas those bovine animals are kept in such farming conditions where calves stay always close to their mother until they are separated at the age of nine months at the latest;
Whereas it is justified to take into account this request, provided that the extension of the maximum period does not affect the quality of information provided by the national database and that there is no movement of such animals to which ear-tags have not been applied;
Whereas Member States' authorities undertake the commitment not to extend this derogation to other elements of the identification and registration system of bison;
Whereas this Regulation should be without prejudice to the decisions to be adopted regarding the fully operational character of the national databases;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: