On Tuesday 3 June, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture amended the proposal on the welfare of dogs and cats by adopting the draft report by Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, Czech) on this issue, which will be included on the agenda of a forthcoming plenary session, with 35 votes in favour, 2 against and 9 abstentions.
After the vote in plenary, the European Parliament will be able to negotiate a compromise with the EU Council (see EUROPE 13443/21).
On Tuesday, the compromise amendments were all ratified.
According to MEPs, the new rules will apply to those responsible for breeding or selling dogs and cats in establishments and shelters, as well as those placing dogs and cats into foster homes. They would however not apply to private dog and cat owners who place maximum one litter on the market less frequently than every 18 months.
Operators must not subject any dog or cat to acts of cruelty, abuse or ill-treatment. Nor shall they breed, train or medically treat them with a view to their participation in activities involving cruelty, abuse or mistreatment (including dog fighting).
Breeding between parents and offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as between siblings and half-siblings, must be prohibited, say MEPs. Puppies and kittens may not be separated from their mothers before the age of eight weeks, unless there is specific veterinary justification.
To prevent exploitation, the regulation caps the number of litters per female and introduces mandatory rest periods between pregnancies.
Mutilation, including ear cropping, tail docking, claw removal or any partial or total amputation of the toes will be prohibited, unless carried out for a justified medical reason.
Microchips. All dogs and cats held by breeders, sellers and shelters, or offered for sale or donation online will have to be individually identified by means of a subcutaneous transponder containing a microchip, according to the amendments adopted.
Establishment operators will have to ensure that dogs and cats born in their establishments are individually identified within three months of their birth and, in any event, before they are placed on the market. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)