Identification of Equidae in the EU Kai-Uwe Sprenger DG Health and Consumer Protection Unit D.1 Animal health This presentation does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission

Will talk about Some (new) EU rules on identification Some linked matters in relation to studbooks

Equidae – legal framework Animal Health (movement, trade, imports, identification – all equidae)‏ Dir. 90/426/EEC Zootechnics (studbook – registered equidae) Dir. 90/427/EEC Competitions (use – registered equidae)‏ Dir. 90/428/EEC 3

Identification of equidae at EU-level 1. animal health issue traceability during movement, trade and imports of animals with certified health status prerequisite for control measures in case of disease (Annex A to 90/426/EEC)‏ 2. public health issue medical treatment of food producing animals 3. zootechnical issue pedigree certificate for registered equidae

Equidae - the most mobile segment of EU livestock Million equidae (horses, donkeys etc.) 2.9 Million (49%)‏ registered equidae (registered in a studbook)‏ 3 Million (51%)‏ equidae for breeding and production (not registered in a studbook)‏

Current legal situation: Since 1 July 2000 all equidae must be accompanied by an identification document whenever they are moved. registered equidae Dir. 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC Dec. 93/623/EEC Passport issued by “studbook“ equidae breeding & production Dir. 90/426/EEC Dec. 2000/68/EC Identification Document Issued by “competent authority” equidae for slaughter

New situation from 1 July 2009 Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 registered equidae issued by “studbook“ equidae breeding & production Issued by “competent authority” single lifetime identification document (~6 months after birth)‏ link between document and animal (electronic transponder)‏ database recording the unique identification number procedure for replacement/duplicate documents clarification on issuing bodies for …

Some options/derogations: outline diagram (Art. 6)‏ animals under wild or semi-wild conditions (Art. 7)‏ alternative methods to prevent multiple identification documents (Art. 12)‏ smart card as option instead of passport (Art. 14)‏ foals for slaughter within 12 months (Art. 15)‏

Can an approved breeding organisation (studbook) from another Member State issue identification documents for its members in Italy? YES! Community legislation does not prevent the owner of an animal to register the animal in a studbook in another Member State.

What is an approved breeding organisation? (Decision 92/353/EC)‏ breeders’ organisation or association keeping a studbook carrying out a breeding programme legal right to be approved by authorities of the Member State of its headquarters according to Community legislation activity not limited to one Member State

Information EU- zootechnical legislation Approved breeding organisations

Cross-border activities of approved breeding organisations possible without restrictions because of principle of the common market (right of citizens)‏ harmonised criteria for approval (92/353/EEC)‏ practiced in a number of cases

Conclusions I New EU - rules on equine ID Are based on the established principles Clarify legal uncertainties Allow adaptation to the specific needs of the equine industry in all Member States

Conclusions II Prepare July 2009 Check the (new) rules Establish procedures if necessary 'Personalise' for Italy

Thanks for your attention!

Why harmonised zootechnical legislation? National legislation strengthening the home breeding sector (entry in herdbooks, acceptance for breeding) created trade barriers. Harmonisation was necessary at EC level to break up trade barriers

Basic aim of EU zootechnical legislation free trade of breeding animals and their genetic material as standardised products legal right to enter a studbook of the same breed

The aims are reached by harmonised... recognition of breeding organisations criteria governing entry in studbooks

“studbook of the origin of a breed” One breeding organization (‘mother studbook’) establishes principles, the ‘daughter studbooks’ have to comply with Cannot prevent that several breeding organizations will be approved for the same breed

Principles to be established by the studbook of the origin Decision 92/353/EEC point 3 (b) systems for pedigree recording characteristics of the breed identification (e.g. number, technique)‏ selection objectives division of the studbook in classes lineages (generations)‏

Practical Consequences several breeding organisations for the same breed can exist in one Member State organisations not following the principles of the studbook of origin breed - legally - a different breed

Entry in studbooks (Dec. 96/78)‏ Legal right to enter the main section of the studbook of its breed for each animal whose parents are entered in the main section Main section may be divided into classes according to the animals‘ merits (e.g. conformation)‏ Supplementary section as option for “open studbooks “

Entry into studbooks (Dec. 96/78/EC)‏ class without additional requirements may be further divided (elite, super elite, …)‏ minimum performance, clear rules allowing progeny to enter the main section stallions/mares main section for animals with legal right to enter (parents in the studbook)‏ supplementary section for animals without legal right to enter (no pedigree)‏

Horse Competitions (Dir. 90/428/EEC)‏ rules of competitions (including showing classes) may not discriminate between horses from different Member States with view to requirements for entering the competition judging price money

Derogations (Art 2 (2) of Dir. 90/428/EEC)‏ a)competitions reserved for specific studbooks b)regional competitions (with view to select)‏ c)historic or traditional events Member State shall inform the Commission beforehand

Distribution of price money (Art 2 (2) of Dir. 90/428/EEC)‏ Member States may reserve max. 20% of the price money (per competition) for improvement of (national) breeding.

What is a breed? “A breed is a group of domestic animals, termed such by common consent of the breeders,... a term which arose among breeders of livestock, created... one might say, for their own use, and no one is warranted in assigning to this word a scientific definition and in calling the breeders wrong when they deviate from the formulated definition. It is their word and the breeders common usage is what we must accept as the correct definition.” Jay L. Lush (1948) in: The Genetics of Populations