Division 1 Collection centres must:F1

be so supervised that they contain only animals of the species whose semen is to be collected. Other domestic animals which are strictly necessary for the normal operation of the collection centre may nonetheless also be admitted, provided that they present no risk of infection to those species whose semen is to be collected, and that they fulfil the conditions laid down by the centre veterinarian;

be so supervised that a record is kept of all bovine animals at the centre, giving details of the breed, date of birth and identification of each of the animals, and also a record of all checks for diseases and all vaccinations carried out for each animal;

be regularly inspected by an official veterinarian, at least twice a year, in the context of standing checks on the conditions of approval and supervision;

be so supervised that the entry of unauthorised persons is prevented. Furthermore, authorised visitors must be required to comply with the conditions laid down by the centre veterinarian;

employ technically competent staff suitably trained in disinfection procedures and hygiene techniques relevant to the control of the spread of disease;

be so supervised that:

1. (i)

   only semen collected at an approved centre is processed and stored in approved centres, without coming into contact with any other consignment of semen. However, semen not collected in an approved centre may be processed in approved collection centres provided that:

   • such semen is produced from bovine animals which fulfil the conditions laid down in Chapter I.1(d) of Annex B,

   • processing is carried out with separate equipment or at a different time from semen intended for intra-Community trade, the equipment in the latter case being cleaned and sterilised after use,

   • such semen may not be the subject of intra-Community trade and cannot at any time come into contact with, or be stored with, semen intended for intra-Community trade,

   • such semen is identifiable by a marking different from that provided for in point (vii);

   Deep-frozen embryos may also be stored in approved centres provided that:

   • such storage is authorised by the competent authority,

   • the embryos meet the requirements of Council Directive 89/556/EEC of 25 September 1989 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and importation from third countries of embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species ^f1 ,

   • the embryos are stored in separate storage containers in the premises for storing approved semen;

2. (ii)

   collection, processing and storage of semen takes place only on the premises set aside for the purpose and under the strictest conditions of hygiene;

3. (iii)

   all instruments which come into contact with the semen or the donor animal during collection and processing are properly disinfected or sterilised prior to use, except for single-use instruments;

4. (iv)

   products of animal origin used in the processing of semen — including additives or a diluent — are obtained from sources which present no animal health risk or are so treated prior to use that such risk is prevented;

5. (v)

   storage containers and transport containers are either properly disinfected or sterilised before the commencement of each filling operation, except for single-use containers;

6. (vi)

   the cryogenic agent used has not been previously used for other products of animal origin;

7. (vii)

   each individual dose of semen is clearly marked in such a way that the date of collection of the semen, the breed and identification of the donor animal and the approval number of the centre can be readily established; each Member State shall communicate to the Commission and other Member States the characteristics and form of the marking used in its territory;

8. (viii)

   the storage unit must comply with specific conditions relating to the supervision of semen storage centres provided for in point 2.