Regulations Regarding Veterinary Requirements for Handling of Bovine, Porcine, Ovine and Caprine Species Animal Semen, Ova and Embryos in the Territory of Latvia and Minimum Equipment Required for a Provider of Artificial Insemination of Bovines, Porcines, Ovines and Caprines

Issued pursuant to
Section 25, Clauses 1 and 14
of the Veterinary Medicine Law

1. This Regulation prescribes veterinary requirements for handling of bovine, porcine, ovine and caprine species animal (hereinafter - animals) semen, ova and embryos in the territory of Latvia and minimum equipment required for a provider of artificial insemination of animals.

2. This Regulation shall not be applied to the handling of such animal embryos which have been obtained through cloning or using any of the genetic engineering techniques, as well to the zootechnical requirements for organisation of artificial insemination and for distribution of animal semen, ova and embryos.

3. Merchants of artificial insemination of animals and merchants of embryo transplantation shall keep the following information (in paper form or electronically) for three years:

3.1. the date of procurement or acquisition of the animal semen, ova or embryos, the origin, the animal semen doses, the number of ova or embryos sold to each buyer and the sale date;

3.2. the particulars of the buyer;

3.2.1. regarding the provider of artificial insemination of animals - given name, surname, qualification certificate number or licence number of the artificial insemination, ova and embryo transplantation specialist issued to a natural person for performing artificial insemination in one herd;

3.2.2. regarding the animal owner who has procured the animal semen, ova or embryos solely for use in his or her own herd, - given name, surname, personal identity number (for a natural person) or name (for a legal person) and the registration number of the herd;

3.2.3. regarding the merchants of artificial insemination and merchants of embryo transplantation - name and the recognition number assigned by the Food and Veterinary Service (hereinafter - Service).

4. In order to prevent threat of transmission of infectious diseases, the following requirements shall be observed in activities with animal semen, ova and embryos:

4.1. animal semen, ova and embryos shall be transported in containers designed for that purpose (in a thermobox or Dewar vessel);

4.2. a cryogen that has not been utilised for other products of animal origin shall be utilised for filling the Dewar vessel;

4.3. if the Dewar vessel is empty, prior to filling with the cryogen it shall be disinfected or a disposable Dewar vessel shall be utilised;

4.4. equipment which may come into direct contact with animal semen, ova or embryos shall be disinfected (sterilised) prior to manipulation or disposable equipment shall be used;

4.5. Dewar vessels and equipment shall be disinfected (sterilised), utilising the method and product which ensures the elimination of the initiators of infectious diseases of animals and is allowed in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory enactments regulating the handling of biocidal products.

5. A provider of artificial insemination of animals shall have the following minimum equipment:

5.1. a clean gown, overalls or apron;

5.2. disposable tissues;

5.3. gynaecological gloves (if cattle are being artificially inseminated);

5.4. lubricant;

5.5. disposable artificial insemination pipettes;

5.6. a thermobox (if fresh animal semen is being utilised in artificial insemination);

5.7. if frozen animal semen is being utilised in artificial insemination:

5.7.1. a Dewar vessel;

5.7.2. an easily cleanable cover of work surface and instrument tray;

5.7.3. a vessel for water and a water thermometer;

5.7.4. a syringe with a nozzle, sodium citrate (in ampoules or phials), a stand for placing the sodium citrate ampoules or phials in a vessel with water (if animal semen frozen into granules is being utilised in the artificial insemination) and tweezers for gripping the granules;

5.7.5. an artificial insemination gun, disposable cases for the artificial insemination gun, a semen straw cutter or scissors (if bovine, porcine, ovine or caprine semen frozen in semen straws is being utilised) and tweezers for gripping the semen straws.

6. A provider of artificial insemination of animals shall keep information regarding the method and product utilised to disinfect (sterilise) the equipment referred to in Sub-paragraph 4.5 of this Regulation for one year (in paper form or electronically).

7. Persons involved in the handling of animal semen, ova and embryos shall:

7.1. at the request of a Service inspector present the information referred to in Paragraphs 3 and 6 of this Regulation and regulatory enactments regarding the accounting procedure of utilisation of breeding bioproduct and embryos transplanted;

7.2. inform the Service if there is suspicion that the animal semen, ova or embryos have been contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms.

Prime Minister V. Dombrovskis

Acting for the Minister for Agriculture -
Minister for Transport K. Gerhards

Translation © 2012 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)