Brussels, 17/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 17 May, the Council of the EU adopted without debate, 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.
Germany abstained during the vote because it was not happy with two points: certification for breeding organisations; the possibility of carrying out performance inspections and genetic assessments at national level, as part of public service contracts. Belgium also abstained and Hungary, which wanted a directive, voted against the text, as did Slovakia.
On 12 April, the European Parliament approved this text, resulting from a compromise obtained in December last year between the three EU institutions on rules for marketing animals for breeding and genetic materials, in an effort to facilitate their imports and exports (see EUROPE 11457). This text harmonises the rules on the registration and classification of thoroughbred animals and their germinal products, in an effort to ensure their compliance with EU rules. Stock breeding organisations will have to respond to specific criteria in order to obtain recognition from the national authorities and will also be key players in the selection and breeding sectors. The regulation will be able to enter into force after publication in the EU Official Journal. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)