The groups referred to in article L. 5143-6 must be approved by the administrative authority, on the recommendation of committees comprising an equal number of representatives of the administration, representatives of professional agricultural organisations and representatives of veterinary surgeons and pharmacists. The composition of these committees is set by decree.
Approval is subject to an undertaking to implement a health programme for the farm approved by the administrative authority, after consultation with the committees referred to in the previous paragraph, the implementation of which is placed under the effective supervision and responsibility of a veterinarian who personally visits the farm on a regular basis.
Approval is granted for a period of five years. It is then renewable for five-year periods.
After formal notice, this approval is suspended or withdrawn by the administrative authority if the conditions for which it was granted are no longer met.