Division B Semen of animalsF1

Semen must have been obtained from donor animals which comply with at least one of the following conditions:

1. (a)

   they have been kept outside a restricted zone for a period of at least 60 days before commencement of, and during, collection of the semen;

2. (b)

   F2they have been protected against attacks by vectors in a vector protected establishment in accordance with the criteria set out in Annex II for a period of at least 60 days before commencement of, and during, collection of the semen;

3. (c)

   they were kept during the seasonally vector-free period in a bluetongue seasonally-free zone, defined in accordance with Annex V, for a period of at least 60 days before commencement of, and during, collection of the semen and were subjected to an agent identification test according to the OIE Terrestrial Manual, with negative results, carried out not earlier than seven days before the date of commencement of collection of the semen.

   However, that agent identification test shall not be necessary F3... where sufficient epidemiological data, obtained following the implementation of a monitoring programme during a period of not less than three years, substantiate the determination of the seasonally vector-free period, as defined in Annex V.

   ...

4. (d)

   F4they have been subjected to a serological test according to the OIE Terrestrial Manual to detect antibodies to the bluetongue virus group, with negative results, at least every 60 days during the collection period and between 21 and 60 days following the final collection of the semen to be consigned;

5. (e)

   they have been subjected, with negative results, to an agent identification test according to the OIE Terrestrial Manual carried out on blood samples collected:

   1. (i)

      at commencement and final collection of the semen to be consigned; and

   2. (ii)

      during the period of semen collection:

      • at least every seven days, in the case of a virus isolation test, or

      • at least every 28 days, in the case of a polymerase chain reaction test.

Where the semen referred to in this Section is intended for F5trade, the following additional wording must be added to the relevant corresponding health certificates:

‘Semen obtained from donor animals which comply with … ( point (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), indicate as appropriate ) of Annex III.B to Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007’ .