
Article 1 
This Decision lays down certain animal health requirements concerning imports into the Union of consignments of semen, ova and embryos of animals of the equine species.
It sets out model health certificates to be used for imports of those commodities into the Union.
Article 2 
Member States shall authorise imports of consignments of semen of animals of the equine species provided that they comply with the following conditions:

((a)) they come from third countries or parts of the territory of third countries listed in columns 2 and 4 of Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC respectively from which permanent imports of registered horses, registered equidae or equidae for breeding and production are authorised;
((b)) they come from an approved semen collection or storage centre listed in accordance with Article 17(3)(b) of Directive 92/65/EEC;
((c)) they are accompanied by a health certificate drawn up in accordance with one of the following models set out in Part 2 of Annex I; and completed in accordance with the explanatory notes set out in Part 1 of that Annex:

((i)) MODEL 1 as set out in Section A, for consignments of semen collected after 31 August 2010 and dispatched from an approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen;
((ii)) MODEL 2 as set out in Section B, for consignments of stocks of semen collected, processed and stored before 1 September 2010 and dispatched after 31 August 2010 from an approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen;
((iii)) MODEL 3 as set out in Section C, for consignments of semen and stocks of semen referred to in (i) and (ii) dispatched from an approved semen storage centre;
However, where specific certification requirements are laid down in bilateral agreements between the European Union and third countries, those requirements shall apply.
((d)) they comply with the requirements set out in the health certificate referred to in point (c).
Article 3 
Member States shall authorise imports of consignments of ova and embryos of animals of the equine species provided that they comply with the following conditions:

((a)) they come from third countries or parts of the territory of third countries listed in columns 2 and 4 of Annex I to Decision 2004/211/EC respectively from which permanent imports of registered horses, registered equidae or equidae for breeding and production are authorised;
((b)) they come from an approved embryo collection or production team listed in accordance with Article 17(3)(b) of Directive 92/65/EEC;
((c)) they are accompanied by a health certificate drawn up in accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part 2 of Annex II; and completed in accordance with the explanatory notes set out in Part 1 of Annex II;
However, where specific certification requirements are laid down in bilateral agreements between the European Union and third countries, those requirements shall apply.
((d)) they comply with the requirements set out in the health certificate referred to in point (c).
Article 4 

1. Consignments of semen, ova and embryos shall not be transported in the same container as other consignments of semen, ova and embryos that:
(a) are not intended for introduction into the Union, or
(b) are of a lower health status.
2. During transport to the Union, consignments of semen, ova and embryos shall be placed in closed and sealed containers and the seal must not be broken during the transport.
Article 5 
Decisions 96/539/EC, 96/540/EC and 2004/616/EC are repealed.
Article 6 
This Decision shall apply from 1 September 2010.
Article 7 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 26 August 2010.
For the Commission
John DALLI
Member of the Commission
ANNEX I

PART 1 (a) 
If the Member State of destination requires additional certification, attestations to certify that those requirements are fulfilled shall be also incorporated in the original form of the health certificate.
 (b) The original of the health certificate shall consist of a single sheet of paper, or, where more text is required, it must be in such a form that all sheets of paper required are part of an integrated whole and indivisible.
 (c) Where the model health certificate states that certain statements shall be kept as appropriate, statements which are not relevant, may be crossed out and initialled and stamped by the certifying officer, or completely deleted from certificate.
 (d) The health certificate shall be drawn up in at least one of the official languages of the Member State of the border inspection post of introduction of the consignment into the European Union and of the Member State of destination. However, those Member States may authorise the certificate to be drawn up in the official language of another Member State, and accompanied, if necessary, by an official translation.
 (e) If for the reasons of identification of the items of the consignment (schedule in Box I.28 of the model health certificate), additional sheets of paper are attached to the health certificate, those sheets of paper shall also be considered as forming part of the original of the health certificate by application of the signature and stamp of the certifying officer, on each of the pages.
 (f) When the health certificate, including additional schedules referred to in (e), comprises more than one page, each page shall be numbered (page number) of (total number of pages), at the end of the page and shall bear the certificate reference number that has been designated by the competent authority on the top of the pages.
 (g) 
The colour of the signature and the stamp of the official veterinarian shall be different to that of the printing on the health certificate. This requirement also applies to stamps other than those embossed or watermarks.
 (h) The original of the health certificate must accompany the consignment until it reaches the border inspection post of introduction into the European Union.
 (i) The certificate reference number referred to in Box I.2 and Box II.a of the model health certificate must be issued by the competent authority of the exporting third country.

PART 2
Section A
MODEL 1 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of semen of animals of the equine species collected, processed and/or stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and dispatched from an approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen

Section B
MODEL 2 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of stocks of semen of animals of the equine species collected, processed and/or stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010 and dispatched after 31 August 2010 from an approved semen collection centre of origin of the semen

Section C
MODEL 3 — Model health certificate for imports of consignments of semen of animals of the equine species collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and of consignments of stocks of semen of animals of the equine species collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010 and dispatched after 31 August 2010 from an approved semen storage centre

ANNEX II
PART 1
(a) 
If the Member State of destination requires additional certification, attestations to certify that those requirements are fulfilled shall be also incorporated in the original form of the health certificate.

(b) The original of the health certificate shall consist of a single sheet of paper, or, where more text is required, it must be in such a form that all sheets of paper required are part of an integrated whole and indivisible.

(c) Where the model health certificate states that certain statements shall be kept as appropriate, statements which are not relevant, may be crossed out and initialled and stamped by the certifying officer, or completely deleted from certificate.

(d) The health certificate shall be drawn up in at least one of the official languages of the Member State of the border inspection post of introduction of the consignment into the European Union and of the Member State of destination. However, those Member States may authorise the certificate to be drawn up in the official language of another Member State, and accompanied, if necessary, by an official translation.

(e) If for the reasons of identification of the items of the consignment (schedule in Box I.28 of the model health certificate), additional sheets of paper are attached to the health certificate, those sheets of paper shall also be considered as forming part of the original of the health certificate by application of the signature and stamp of the certifying officer, on each of the pages.

(f) When the health certificate, including additional schedules referred to in (e), comprises more than one page, each page shall be numbered (page number) of (total number of pages), at the end of the page and shall bear the certificate reference number that has been designated by the competent authority on the top of the pages.

(g) 
The colour of the signature and the stamp of the official veterinarian shall be different to that of the printing on the health certificate. This requirement also applies to stamps other than those embossed or watermarks.

(h) The original of the health certificate must accompany the consignment until it reaches the border inspection post of introduction into the European Union.

(i) The certificate reference number referred to in Box I.2 and Box II.a of the model health certificate must be issued by the competent authority of the exporting third country.

PART 2