Division 4 F1F2

In addition to the requirements laid down in Directive 90/426/EEC, donor mares shall:

1. 4.1.

   not be used for natural breeding during at least 30 days prior to the date of collection of ova or embryos and between the date of the first sample referred to in points 4.2 and 4.3 and the date of the collection of ova and embryos;

2. 4.2.

   be subjected with negative result to an agar-gel immuno-diffusion test (Coggins test) or an ELISA for equine infectious anaemia carried out on a blood sample taken not less than 14 days following the date of the commencement of the period of at least 30 days referred to in point 4.1 and not more than 90 days prior to the collection of ova or embryos for trade;

3. 4.3.

   be subjected to an agent identification test for contagious equine metritis, carried out with negative result in each case in a laboratory referred to in point 1.5 of Chapter (II)(I) on at least two specimens (swabs) taken from the donor mare in no case earlier than seven days (systemic treatment) or 21 days (local treatment) after possible antimicrobial treatment of the donor mare, from at least the following sites:

   • the mucosal surfaces of the clitoral fossa,

   • the clitoral sinuses.

   The specimens shall be taken during the period referred to in point 4.1 on two occasions with an interval of not less than seven days in the case of the test referred to in point (i), or on one occasion in the case of the test referred to in point (ii).

   The specimens shall be placed in transport medium with activated charcoal, such as Amies medium, before dispatch to the laboratory.

   The specimens shall be subjected to at least one of the following tests:

   1. (i)

      culture under microaerophilic conditions for at least seven days for the isolation of Taylorella equigenitalis , set up within 24 hours after taking the specimens from the donor animal, or 48 hours where the specimens are kept cool during transport; or

   2. (ii)

      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real-time PCR for the detection of genome of Taylorella equigenitalis , carried out within 48 hours after taking the specimens from the donor animal.