No L 125/58 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 5. 84 COMMISSION DECISION of 27 April 1984 laying down the criteria for the recognition of breeders’ organizations and associations which maintain or establish herd-books for pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species (84/247/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Directive 77/504/EEC of 25 July 1977 on pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species ('), as last amended by the Act of Acces- sion of Greece, and in particular the second and third indents of Article 6 (1) thereof, Whereas, under the second and third indents of Article 6 (1) of Directive 77/504/EEC it is for the Commission to determine, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 8 of the abovemen- tioned Directive, the criteria governing the recognition "of breeders’ organizations and associations and the criteria governing the establishment of herd-books ; Whereas in all the Member States, with the exception at present of Greece, herd-books are maintained or established by breeders’ organizations and associa- tions ; whereas it is therefore necessary to lay down the criteria for the recognition of breeders’ organizations and associations which maintain or establish herd- books ; Whereas a breeders’ organization or association must apply for official recognition to the competent authorities of the Member State on whose territory its headquarters are situated ; Whereas, where a breeders’ organization or association meets certain criteria and has defined targets, it must be officially recognized by the authorities of the Member State to which it has applied; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Zootechnics, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : Article 1 In order to be officially recognized, a breeders’ organ- ization or association which maintains or establishes (") OJ No L 206, 12. 8. 1977, p. 8. herd-books must submit an application to the authori- ties of the Member State on whose territory its head- quarters are situated. Article 2 The authorities of the Member State concerned must grant official recognition to any breeders’ organization or association which maintains or establishes herd- books if the latter meet the conditions laid down in the Annex. However, in a Member State in which in respect of a given breed one or more officially recognized organ- izations or associations already exists, the authorities of the Member State concerned may refuse to recognize a new breeders’ organization or association if it en- dangers the preservation of the breed or jeopardizes the zootechnical programme of the existing organiza- tion or association. In such a case, the Member States shall inform the Commission of approvals granted and refusals to give recognition. Article 3 The authorities of the Member State concerned shall withdraw official recognition from any breeders’ orga- nization or association which maintains herd-books if the conditions laid down in the Annex are no longer being fulfilled in a persistent manner by the breeders’ organization or association concerned. Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at B'russels, 27 April 1984. For the Commission Poul DALSAGER Member of the Commission