It’s published •update
The European Parliament supports the essential microchipping of all cats and dogs across the EU to reduce fraud and improve enforcement of animal welfare standards.
This brings the EU one step closer to setting a minimum common standard for breeding and raising cats and dogs after a vote on amendments to the European Commission’s original proposal.
The vote paves the way for negotiations with EU ministers who had already adopted their position last year.
Currently, PET registration is mandatory in 24 EU countries, but the system is fragmented. A private initiative only, EuropetNet links a database of national and regional countries from 17 countries.
MEPS also suggested that dogs and cats imported from non-EU countries for sale must be microchipped and registered in a nationwide database prior to entry.
“This shows a clear move towards illegal breeding and irresponsible import of animals from outside the EU,” said Veronica Veryunova, the Czech Conservative MEP who acted as a reporter in the file.
Animal welfare groups welcomed the vote as a major breakthrough, noting that the law ensures basic standards that help eliminate unregulated backyard breeding and abusive puppy and kitten factories, including proper feeding, veterinary care and protection from abuse.
Several previous revisions by the MEP have raised concerns that could promote illegal trade. However, the animal welfare NGO confirmed that these issues were resolved in the final whole vote.
Importantly, the Congress surpassed the committee’s original proposal by seeking full identification and registration of not only those placed in the market, but all cats and dogs.
“MEPS has taken a step forward to ending all the illegal pet trade in Europe today, which we have been waiting for many years,” said Joe Moran, European office director for four Paws International.
To prevent animal exploitation, the MEP also wants to limit the number of garbage that female animals can have in their lifetime. The rules apply universally to all breeders, regardless of their size.
In particular, the European Parliament took a positive step by including small breeders in the scope of the proposal, according to Ewonameltin, companion animal program leader for the Eurogroup of Animals.
“This is important, especially in countries where 80% of breeders produce fewer than four litters a year. Without this, there would be a big loophole,” she said.
Currently, the EU has 127 million cats and 104 million dogs, but about 44% of households own pets. Data from the EU Commission estimates the annual value of the sector is 1.3 billion euros.
MEPS also kept the door open to expand the protection of the law to other companion animals in the future by supporting the creation of so-called “positive lists.”
Final negotiations between Parliament and EU ministers are expected to begin as soon as they mark the final stage before adopting the law.
Video Editor •Gregoire Lory
