Satisfactory results in animal production depend to a large extent on the use of domestic animals of high genetic quality. The Community's zootechnical legislation aims at the promotion of free trade in breeding animals and their genetic material considering the sustainability of breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources.

The basic aim of ...

• free trade in breeding animals and their genetic material
• legal right of entering a herd-book of the same breed

. is reached by harmonised .

• recognition of breeding associations;
• entering herdbooks;
• pedigree certificates;
• performance testing and genetic evaluation;
• acceptance of breeding.