(8) Part 3 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 sets out additional requirements for breed societies establishing or maintaining breeding books for purebred breeding animals of the equine species. In accordance with point 1 of Part 3 of that Annex purebred breeding animals of the equine species are only to be entered in a breeding book if they are identified by a covering certificate and, where required by the breeding programme, as ‘foal at foot’. By way of derogation from that rule, a Member State or, if it so decides, its competent authority may authorise a breed society to enter purebred breeding animals of the equine species in the breeding book maintained by that breed society where those animals are identified by any other appropriate method that provides at least the same degree of certainty as a covering certificate such as parentage control based on DNA analysis or analysis of their blood groups, provided that that authorisation is in accordance with the principles established by the breed society which maintains the breeding book of the origin of that breed.
(9) Taking into account the requirements set out in point 1 of Part 3 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, information on the covering certificate, on identification as ‘foal at foot’ and on results of parentage control should be reflected in the rules on the content of zootechnical certificates for purebred breeding animals of the equine species laid down in this Regulation.
(10) In order to ensure the uniqueness and continuity of the identification of purebred breeding animals of the equine species and in accordance with the requirements set out in points 1(c) and 3 of Chapter I of Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, the unique code as provided for in Article 114(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and the name of such breeding animals should be included in the zootechnical certificate for trade as a part of its identification details.