No L 71/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 3. 90 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 5 March 1990 on the acceptance of pure-bred breeding pigs for breeding (90/118/BEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Directive 88/661/EEC of 19 December 1988 on the zootechnical standards applicable to breeding animals of the porcine species (') and in parti- cular Article 3 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas Directive 88/661/EEC was particularly intended gradually to liberalize intra-Community trade in pure- bred breeding pigs; whereas, for this purpose, additional harmonization with regard to -the acceptance of such animals for breeding purposes is necessary ;: Whereas - the provisions concerning acceptance for breeding relate both to animals as well as their semen, ova and embryos ; Whereas, in this respect, it is necessary to prevent national provisions relating to the acceptance for breeding purposes of pure-bred-breeding pigs and their semen, ova and embryos from constituting a prohibition or restriction of intra-Community trade or an obstacle thereto whether in the ‘case of natural service, artifical insemination or the taking of ova or -embryos; Whereas pure-bred female pigs, their ova. and embryos should be subject to no-prohibition, restriction or obstacle in connection with -breeding; Whereas artificial insemination constitiites an important technique for increasing the use of the best breeders and, () OJ No L 382, 31. 12. 1988, p. 36. hence, for improving the procine species ; whereas in so doing, however, any impairment of the pedigree must be avoided, particularly with regard to male breeders, which must possess all guarantees of their genetic value and of their freedom from hereditary defects; Whereas it is necessary to make a distinction between the acceptance for artificial insemination of pure-bred bree- ding pigs and their semen which have undergone all the official tests laid down for their breed in a Member State and the acceptance of them solely: for the purposes of official testing; Whereas it is useful to establish a-procedure for solving, in particular, disputes that may arise in the assessment of the result of tests; Whereas the provision that semen, ova and embryos must be manipulated by officially approved staff is capable of providing the guarantees necessary for attaining the desired end ; Whereas in the light of particular conditions currently existing in Spain and Portugal it is necessary to provide for a longer period for the implementation of this Direc- tive in those Member States, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 Member States shall ensure that, without prejudice to animal health rules, there is no prohibition -or restriction of or obstacle to.: — the acceptance of pure-bred breeding female pigs for breeding,