S.L. 437.99 Art. 11Conditionsrelating to semen from a third country. S.L. 437.48 S.L. 437.48

(1) Semen shall come from animals which, immediately prior to collection of their semen, have remained for at least six months in the third country on the list drawn up in accordance with rule 9(1).

(2) Without prejudice to sub-rule (1) and rule 9(1), the competent authority shall not authorise the importation of semen from a third country on the list, unless the semen complies with the animal health requirements adopted for imports of semen from that country, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" or "the Committee" provided under rule 2(2).

(3) In adopting the requirements referred to in the preceding sub-rule, special account shall be given to:

(a) the health situation in the area surrounding the semen collection centre, with particular reference to the diseases appearing on list A of the International Office of Epizootic Diseases;

(b) the state of health of the herd in the semen collection centre, including testing requirements;

(c) the state of health of the donor animal and testing requirements; and

(d) the testing requirements in relation to semen.

(4) The reference basis for fixing animal health conditions in accordance with sub-rule (2) for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis shall be the standards laid down in Schedule A to the Animal Health Problems Affecting Intra-Community Trade in

Bovine Animals and Swine Regulations.

(5) The competent authority may decide, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health or the Committee" provided under rule 2(2), on a case-by-case basis, to waive these conditions where the third country concerned provides similar animal health guarantees. In such case, animal health conditions at least equivalent to those in Schedule A to the Animal Health Problems

Affecting Intra-Community Trade in Bovine Animals and Swine Regulations shall be laid down in accordance with the same procedure in order to permit the entry of such animals into semen collection centres. Rule 4 shall apply. mutatis mutandis