Directive 2008/119 - Minimum standards for the protection of calves (Codified version)

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1.

Current status

This directive has been published on January 15, 2009, entered into force on February  4, 2009 and should have been implemented in national regulation on January  1, 1994 at the latest.

2.

Key information

official title

Council Directive 2008/119/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (Codified version)
 
Legal instrument Directive
Number legal act Directive 2008/119
Original proposal COM(2006)258 EN
CELEX number i 32008L0119

3.

Key dates

Document 18-12-2008
Publication in Official Journal 15-01-2009; Special edition in Croatian: Chapter 03 Volume 020,OJ L 10, 15.1.2009
Effect 04-02-2009; Entry into force Date pub. + 20 See Art 13
Deadline 31-08-2020; See Art 7.3 And 32017R0625
End of validity 31-12-9999
Transposition 01-01-1994; At the latest See Art 12

4.

Legislative text

15.1.2009   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 10/7

 

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2008/119/EC

of 18 December 2008

laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves

(Codified version)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2),

Whereas:

 

(1)

Council Directive 91/629/EEC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (3) has been substantially amended several times (4). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified.

 

(2)

Most Member States have ratified the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. The Community has also approved this Convention, by Council Decision 78/923/EEC (5).

 

(3)

Calves, being live animals, are included in the list of products set out in Annex I to the Treaty.

 

(4)

The keeping of calves is an integral part of agriculture. It constitutes a source of revenue for part of the agricultural population.

 

(5)

Differences which may distort conditions of competition interfere with the smooth running of the organisation of the common market in calves and calf products.

 

(6)

There is therefore a need to establish common minimum standards for the protection of rearing calves or calves for fattening in order to ensure rational development of production.

 

(7)

It is recognised scientifically that calves should benefit from an environment corresponding to their needs as a herd-living species. For that reason, they should be reared in groups. Calves, both group-housed and individually penned, should have sufficient space for exercise, for contact with other cattle and for normal movements when standing up or lying down.

 

(8)

It is necessary for official services, producers, consumers and others to be kept informed of developments in this field. The Commission should therefore, on the basis of an opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, pursue actively scientific research into the most efficient stock-farming system(s) from the point of view of the well-being of calves. Provision should accordingly be made for an interim period to enable the Commission to complete this task successfully.

 

(9)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (6).

 

(10)

This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex II, Part B,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

This Directive lays down the minimum standards for the protection of calves confined for rearing and fattening.

Article 2

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:

 

1.

‘calf’ means a bovine animal up to six months old;

 

2.

‘competent authority’ means the competent authority as defined in Article 2(6) of Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (7).

Article 3

  • 1. 
    From 1 January 1998, the following provisions shall apply on all newly built or rebuilt holdings and on all those brought into use after that...

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This text has been adopted from EUR-Lex.

5.

Original proposal

 

6.

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