The European Parliament will today hold a final vote on the EU regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats – the so-called ‘Cats and Dogs Proposal’. The German Animal Welfare Federation, which has closely monitored the process over the past two and a half years, welcomes the regulation as a “milestone for animal welfare in Europe”. It obliges EU Member States to introduce, amongst other things, specific requirements regarding the keeping, breeding and trade of dogs and cats. The regulation is set to come into force in two years’ time.
“We are delighted that the European Union is taking this historic step for animal welfare. For the first time, the regulation provides an EU-wide legal framework to better protect dogs and cats and curb the illegal trade in pets,” comments Jürgen Plinz, member of the Executive Committee of the German Animal Welfare Federation and board member of the European animal welfare umbrella organisation Eurogroup for Animals.
Mandatory microchipping is a major achievement
The fact that all cats and dogs must in future be identified with a microchip and registered in a pet register such as FINDEFIX is one of the regulation’s most significant achievements. This measure is intended to make the illegal trade in animals and the abandonment of animals more difficult. At the same time, it facilitates the return of lost animals. This protects the animals and simultaneously relieves the burden on animal shelters. Even though it is questionable that private pet owners will only be required to have their dogs microchipped and registered after a long transition period of ten years, and cats after 15 years, the German Animal Welfare Federation regards this as a major success.
Another important component of the regulation are guidelines for the breeding of animals with traits resulting from cruel breeding practices. Although these remain relatively vague, they are to be regulated in future by further regulations. Another positive aspect is that specific husbandry and breeding requirements will mean that ‘puppy mills’ – which produce puppies and kittens under conditions that are highly contrary to animal welfare – will no longer have such an easy time of it in future.
Animal Welfare Federation criticises loopholes and exemptions
The German Animal Welfare Association is critical of the fact that some of the proposed regulations for breeders will only apply from the third litter onwards – a loophole for unscrupulous breeders. It is also incomprehensible that exceptions are possible for service dogs and that cats on farms are not covered by the regulation. “All animals have a right to protection,” emphasises the Animal Welfare Association.
Note to editors: Dr Romy Zeller, specialist advisor on companion animals at the German Animal Welfare Association, will take part in a video conference on the new EU regulation on 29 April at the invitation of Dr Peter Liese, MEP and EPP spokesperson on the environment, and Manuela Ripa, MEP and rapporteur on the Environment Committee. Start: 6 pm, via Webex. If you are interested, please register your attendance at: PETER.LIESE(at)EUROPARL.EUROPA.EU
