On Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May, an EU Council working party is examining a compromise text from the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council on the proposal to improve the welfare of dogs and cats.
The aim of the Belgian Presidency is to get the Member States to adopt a negotiating mandate (with a view to talks with the European Parliament). This negotiating mandate could be adopted on 29 May by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU (Coreper).
The proposal establishes uniform EU-wide rules for the welfare of dogs and cats bred or kept in breeding establishments and pet shops as well as in shelters (see EUROPE 13383/27).
The changes provided for in this text, compared with the Commission’s initial proposal, are, among others:
- a ban on breeding aimed at producing hybrids;
- discontinue reproduction of female dogs that have undergone two caesarean sections for their own well-being;
- as for dog shows or competitions, a ban on the use of dogs or cats with extreme conformation traits or mutilated (amidst concerns that certain features or beauty standards could be prioritised in such events);
- the incorporation of foster homes in the text;
- with regard to the competence of animal caretakers, the text does not encompass volunteers and interns under the supervision of an animal caretaker.
The version of the text to be presented to Coreper could change as a result of discussions between experts from the Member States.
In June, the working party will begin discussions on the other proposal on animal welfare, namely that concerning better rules for the transport of farm animals (shorter journey times, special rules for animals intended for slaughter and vulnerable animals such as unweaned calves and pregnant females, increased minimum space allowances for different animals, transport at night only when temperatures exceed 30 degrees, etc.) (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)