The European Parliament on Wednesday 12 February called for a “harmonised European [system for the] compulsory identification and registration of cats and dogs”, which would be a necessary first step in the fight against pet trafficking.
In adopting a resolution on protecting the EU internal market and consumer rights from the harmful consequences of pet trafficking, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to draw up a cross-sectoral action plan at EU level to “stop pet trafficking in the EU”.
Parliament considers that there is a need for a uniform definition at EU level of large-scale commercial breeding establishments, known as ‘puppy mills’, in order to combat trafficking in pets. It also insists that the sale of live animals by a trader to the consumer should be excluded from the scope of the forthcoming directive on online sales contracts. By adopting a GUE/NGL amendment, Parliament calls on the Commission and Member States to take measures to “prohibit breeding and marketing practices” that harm the health and behavioural development of pets.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides recalled that in recent years “we have been trying to strengthen the legal framework to help Member States fight the illegal trade” in dogs and cats. The new animal health legislation, which will enter into force in April 2021, provides for the compulsory registration of all dog and cat breeding establishments and transporters moving dogs and cats between Member States and for the improvement of shelters before transport to other Member States. These new measures “will help to control trade of companion animals in a better way, and we consider that they are sufficient for tackling illegal trade”, concluded Ms Kyriakides. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)