Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the European Commission
5.10.2018
The rules on identification of equidae are laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/262[1]. Equidae born in the Union shall be identified by an identification document not later than 12 months following the date of birth and in any event before leaving permanently the holding of birth. Member States may reduce the deadline for identification to six months.
Article 26 of that regulation allows the slaughter within the Member State of birth of equidae younger than 12 months which are individually marked but for which no identification documents has been issued.
In accordance with Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council[2], equidae are food producing animals and may receive veterinary medicinal treatment under the same conditions and limitations as any other animal of a food producing species.
However, that directive allows the treatment of equidae with veterinary medicinal products containing substances not authorised for food producing animals, provided the equine animals are identified and are permanently excluded from the food chain (Article 10(2)), or are subjected to a 6 months withdrawal period (Article 10(3)) following the treatment with a substance listed in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1950/2006[3].
- [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/262 of 17 February 2015 laying down rules pursuant to Council Directives 90/427/EEC and 2009/156/EC as regards the methods for the identification of equidae (Equine Passport Regulation) (OJ L 59, 3.3.2015, p. 1).
- [2] Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1).
- [3] Commission Regulation (EC) No 1950/2006 of 13 December 2006 establishing, in accordance with Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products, a list of substances essential for the treatment of equidae (OJ L 367, 22.12.2006, p. 33).