Document type: news from Eurogroup for Animals
Author: Eurogroup for Animals
Preview: Eurogroup for Animals and AAP publish a white paper which demonstrates a legally feasible EU Positive List framework which would end the suffering of animals traded as pets. The white paper was launched at an event, on March 23rd at the European Parliament, co-sponsored by Manuela Ripa MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany) and Pascal Durand MEP (S&D, France). [...]The Positive List is a list of species that are permitted to be traded and/or kept in households. Several Member States have already adopted it, however, we need harmonised rules across the EU to efficiently address issues and concerns arising from the pet trade, including distortions in the internal market.
The European Commission (EC), under the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking is working on a study of the added value and feasibility of an EU positive list.
The white paper demonstrates the problems that result from the current EU pet trade, provides explanations on the current legislation and also provides a legal basis and proposal for an EU Positive List. It includes novel research from Sapience and insights from a legal opinion from FratiniVergano. [...]As mentioned by Manuela Ripa MEP, it is crucial for the feasibility study to include all animals, those taken from the wild and captive bred. The study must also assess the Positive List legal feasibility in light of the proposal detailed in the white paper. Finally, the upcoming revision of the animal welfare legislation represents a once in a generation opportunity for animals: a chance to introduce an EU Positive List, and therefore, for the first time, protect the welfare of animals traded and kept as pets.
