Brussels, 25/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The welfare of dogs and cats differs considerably from one country to the next to such an extent that this “may lead to unequal breeding and marketing costs which could create animal welfare problems, zoonotic risks and deception of the citizen due to the purchase of animals carrying possible hidden diseases, including genetic defects and/or with irreversible behavioural problems”, the EU Councl of Ministers' conclusions read. These are to be adopted on Monday 29 November.
The Council invites the Commission, as part of the second EU strategy for the protection of animal welfare, to: - study the differences between measures taken by the different member states for the breeding and marketing within the EU of dogs and cats and, if necessary, to develop solutions for internal market harmonisation; - study and propose, if justified, options to facilitate the setting in place of compatible identification and registration systems; - study and propose, if justified, a specific proposal to restrict, in the European Union, the exhibition at public events of dogs and cats having undergone a non-curative surgical intervention (not aimed at preventing reproduction); - and to develop, if necessary and in coordination with the member states, appropriate measures to promote and support education concerning responsible dog and cat ownership, as well as to support national information campaigns on the negative impact of non-curative surgical interventions on the welfare of dogs and cats. (L.C./transl.jl)