97/182/EC: Commission Decision of 24 February 1997 amending the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (Text with EEA relevance)

• Published date: 18 March 1997
• Subject Matter: Veterinary legislation
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Communities, L 76, 18 March 1997

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97/182/EC: Commission Decision of 24 February 1997 amending the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (Text with EEA relevance)

Official Journal L 076 , 18/03/1997 P. 0030 - 0031

COMMISSION DECISION of 24 February 1997 amending the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (Text with EEA relevance) (97/182/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/629/EEC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (1), as amended by Council Directive 97/2/EC (2), and in particular Article 5 thereof,

Whereas as provided for in Article 6 of Directive 91/629/EEC, the Scientific Veterinary Committee has given an opinion on 9 November 1995, on the basis of which the Commission has drawn up a report which has been submitted to the Council and to the Parliament;

Whereas on the basis of the conclusions of this report, it is appropriate to amend certain provisions of the Annex to Directive 91/629/EEC;

Whereas calves kept indoors should be inspected by the owner or the person responsible for the animals at least twice daily and calves kept outdoors at least once daily;

Whereas based on data on disease incidence, immune system function and exercise, calves should be fed in such a way that their blood haemoglobin does not fall below a certain minimum level;

Whereas tethering of calves causes problems; whereas for that reason individually penned calves should not be tethered and group housed calves may only be tethered for a short period at the time of feeding milk;

Whereas calves should be fed fermentable material, appropriate in quality and sufficient in quantity to maintain the microbial flora of the gut and sufficient fibre to stimulate the development of villi in the rumen;

Whereas in addition to existing requirements for the provision of water, or other liquids, calves which are ill or are subject to hot weather conditions shall have access to fresh water;

Whereas in order to ensure adequate immunoglobulin levels in the blood, calves should receive sufficient colostrum within the first six hours of life and as soon as possible after birth;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing...