No L 382/36 Official Journal of the European Communities- 31.12. 88 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 19 December on the zootechnical standards applicable to breeding animals of the porcine species (88/661/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the. Commission (), Having - regard to- the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas the breeding and production of animals of the porcine species occupy a very important place in Community agriculture; whereas they may be a source of income for part of the agricultural population; Whereas production of animals of the porcine species should be encouraged; whereas satisfactory results in this field depend to a large extent on the use of pure-bred or hybrid breeding animals; ‘Whereas most Member States have hitherto endeavoured, as part of their national breeding policies,” to promote the - production of livestock meeting - specific zootechnical standards; whereas  the existence of disparities  in the implementation of these policies- may hinder intra-Community trade; Whereas, if these disparities are to be removed, thereby increasing agricultural productivity in this sector, intra-Community trade in all breeding pigs must be progressively liberalized; whereas the total liberalization of trade presupposes subsequent further harmonization, in particular with regard to approval for breeding and criteria governing entry in herd-books or registers; Whereas it must be possible for Member States to require certificates drawn up- in accordance with a Community. procedure to be presented; . Whereas implementing measures should bet taken; whereas, for the application of such measures, a procedure should be laid down establishing close cooperation between Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on Zootechnics set up by the Council by Decision 77/505/EEC (*); (1) O] No C 44, 21. 2. 1980, p. 12. (2) O] No C 147, 16. 6. 1980, p. 34. (%) O] No C 182, 21. 7. 1980, p. §. (*) O] No L 206, 12. 8. 1977, p. 11. Whereas, pending further Community decisions, Member States may continue to apply their national provisions in accordance with the general rules laid down in the Treaty; . Whereas it must be ensured that breeding pigs cannot be imported from non-member countries subject-to conditions which are more favourable than those applied within the Community; Whereas, bearing in mind the special conditions obtaining in Spain and Portugal, provision should be made for a further time limit for the implementation -of this Directive, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: CHAPTER I Definitions Article 1 For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply: (a) pure-bred breeding pig: any-animal of the porcine species, the parents and grandparents of which are entered or registered in a herd-book of the same breed and which is itself entered or registered and eligible for entry in such a herd-book; (b) hybrid breeding pig: any animal of the porcine species which fulfils the following criteria: 1. it is produced by deliberate cross-breeding: — between pure-bred breeding pigs of different breeds or lines, — between animals which are themselves the outcome of a cross between different breeds or lines, — or between pure-bred animals and animals belonging to one or other of the above categories; 2. it must be entered in a register; (c) berd-book: any book, file or data medium: — which is maintained either by a breeders’ association officially approved by the Member State in which that association is established or by an official service of the Member State in question,