No L 351/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 12. 89 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 21 November 1989 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to. ensure the correct application of legislation on veterinary and zootechnical matters (89/608/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Eurepean 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 (?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas, in the agricultural sector, far-reaching rules have been introduced in the veterinary and zootechnical area ; Whereas the smooth functioning of the common agricultural policy and - of the common -market for agricultural products, and - also the prospect of the abolition of veterinary- checks at frontiers with a view to achieving the internal market for products subject to such’ checks, render it necessary to- reinforce cooperation between the authorities responsible in-each Member State for the application of veterinary and zootechnical rules ; Whereas it is therefore appropriate to establish rules according to which the competent authorities of the Member States must mutually provide each other with assistance- and cooperate- with the Commission so as to ensure- the proper application of veterinary and zootechnical rules, in particular by the prevention and detection of infringements of such rules and detection of any activity which is or seems to be contrary thereto; () OJ No C 225, 31. 8. 1988, p. 4. () OJ No C 326, 19. 12. 1988, p. 28. () OJ No C 56, 6. 3. 1989, p. 7. Whereas, in order to establish these rules, inspiration should be sought, as far as possible, from the Community provisions established by Council Regulation (EEC) No "1468/81 of 19 ‘May 1981 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and. cooperation between . the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs or - agricultural matters (¥), as: amended by Regulation (EEC) No 945/87 () ; whereas account should also be taken of the specificity of health rules, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 The Directive lays down the ways in which the competent authorities responsible in the Member States for monitoring legislation on veterinary and zootechnical matters shall cooperate with those in the order Member States and with the relevant Commission departments in order to ensure compliance with such legislation: Article 2 1. For the purposes of this Directive : — ‘legislation on - veterinary matters’ shall mean all. Community provisions and provisions which contribute to -the application of Community rules. governing animal health, public- health as related to- () OJ No L 144, 2. 6. 1981, p. 1. () OJ No L 90, 2. 4. 1987, p. 3.