The European Parliament has approved the first EU-wide standards on the breeding, housing, traceability, import and treatment of dogs and cats, backing the regulation with 558 votes in favour, 35 against and 52 abstentions.
The regulation, already agreed with the Council, still requires formal approval before entering into force. It will require all dogs and cats in the EU, including those owned by private individuals, to be microchipped and registered in interoperable national databases.
Sellers, breeders and shelters will have four years from the entry into force of the law to comply with the new standards.
For pet owners who do not sell animals, the rules will become mandatory after 10 years for dogs and after 15 years for cats.
The regulation will also ban the breeding of dogs or cats to develop excessive or extreme traits that pose serious health risks. Breeding between close relatives, including parents and offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings and half-siblings, will also be prohibited.
The measures include a ban on mutilations carried out for display purposes or participation in shows and competitions. Permanent tethering will also be prohibited, along with the use of prong collars or tightening collars without safety mechanisms.
Dogs and cats imported from non-EU countries for sale must be microchipped before entering the EU and registered in a national database.
Owners entering the EU will have to declare their microchipped animals at least five working days before arrival, unless the animals are already registered in a database of a member state.
“Today we took an important step towards bringing real order to the trade in dogs and cats in the European Union. Our message is clear: a pet is a family member, not an object or a toy,” said rapporteur Veronika Vrecionová, chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.
She said the stricter rules on breeding and traceability would help tackle those who treat animals as a source of quick profit, while creating a level playing field for responsible breeders in the EU.
According to Eurobarometer, around 44% of EU citizens own a pet, while 74% believe their protection and welfare should be strengthened.
The trade in dogs and cats has grown significantly in recent years and is estimated at €1.3 billion annually. Around 60% of owners buy their dogs or cats online.
Source: CNA