Negotiators informally agreed on new measures to stop abusive practices, curb cruel business practices, and protect the health of cats and dogs. All dogs and cats kept in the EU, including in private ownership, will be registered in interoperable national databases. The deal includes extension of the rules covering imports of animals for commercial purposes as well as non-commercial animal movements.
First ever EU standards for breeding, housing, traceability, import and handling of cats and dogs, were agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators on Tuesday, 25 November evening. The measure will affect tens of millions of EU citizens—according to polls, around 44 per cent of EU citizens have a pet. Some 74 per cent of the population believe that the animals should be better protected.
Stronger rules on breeding
The regulation is intended to stop commercial practices leading to abuses and health risks of cats and dogs. Breeding between parents and their offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as between siblings and half-siblings, will be banned according to the deal. It also bans the type of breeding of dogs or cats which gives them exaggerated or excessive traits that lead to significant health risks.
Stronger rules on breeding and traceability will make it harder for abusive and illegal operators to hide. We are pushing back against those who see animals as a means of quick profit. – MEP Veronika Vrecionová (ECR/CZE), rapporteur on the file
According to MEP Veronika Vrecionová (ECR/CZE), rapporteur on the file, the regulation would make it harder for abusive and illegal operators to hide. “We are pushing back against those who see animals as a means of quick profit (…) Our message is clear: a pet is a family member, not an object or a toy,” Ms Vrecionová said.
Dogs and cats imported from third countries for sale will have to be microchipped before their entry into the EU, and then registered in a national database. Pet owners entering the EU will also be obliged to pre-register their microchipped animal in a database.
Long transitional period
The provisional agreement now must be formally approved by both Parliament and Council before the new rules can enter into force.
After that, sellers, breeders and shelters will have four years to comply with the new regulation. For pet owners who do not sell animals, the measure will be mandatory after 10 years for dogs and after 15 years for cats.
