Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 on 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 (‘Animal Breeding Regulation’)

What it is

to ensure a harmonised approach to trade in breeding animals and their germinal products and their imports into the Union and to the official controls necessary to be performed on breeding programmes carried out by breed societies and breeding operations. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the breeding of domestic animals of the bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine species, and to a lesser extent the breeding of animals of other species, occupy an important place in Union agriculture and is a source of income for the agricultural community. The breeding of animals of those species is best encouraged if purebred breeding animals or hybrid breeding pigs of recorded high genetic quality are used. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted the report by Michel DANTIN (EPP, FR) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the zootechnical and genealogical conditions for trade in and imports into the Union of breeding animals and their germinal products. The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows: Subject matter and scope : Members underlined the key role breeding plays in conserving rare breeds and thereby in protecting biodiversity. However, efforts to achieve competitiveness should not lead to the disappearance of breeds with characteristics that are adapted to specific biophysical contexts. Therefore, the Regulation should lay down zootechnical and genealogical rules for the preservation and improvement of animal breeding as well as rules governing the conservation and improvement of native or endangered breeds . For reasons of legal certainty, Members proposed a definition of the concept of ‘ breed’ . Recognition of breed societies and breeding operations : Members proposed to clarify the legal framework for Member State recognition of breed societies. Operators must be required to make an application for recognition in order to keep a breeding book and conduct a breeding programme. The competent authority shall define in its application: (i) the preservation of genetic variation within the breed, (ii) the improvement of the breed, (iii) the planning of crosses, or (iv) the planning of a new breed. The competent authority shall assess the breeding programmes of a breed society or breeding operation and approve them provided that they fulfil the necessary requirements. Rights of breeders participating in breeding programmes : Members seek to clarify breeders’ rights where they are members of a breed society or breeding operation. Specifically, such rights must be reserved for breeders within the geographical area of activity of the breed society. Breeders must have access to the services provided under the programme without discrimination. Provisions on disputes between one or more breeders and a breed society already exist in national…

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