Document type: Answer to Question E-001682/25 from the European Commission
Authors: question : Sebastian Everding (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Erik Marquardt (Greens/EFA), Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Maria Zacharia (NI). Answer: Mrs Kos on behalf of the European Commission
Question: In 2024, the Turkish Government adopted legislative changes, which will lead to mass killings of stray dogs. It is estimated that there are approximately four million street dogs in Türkiye that are now to be put down.
Türkiye is not a member of the EU, but it does have aspirations to join, and as a member, it would have to conform to the very high standards of animal welfare to which EU Member States must adhere. Not only does Türkiye need to progressively align its legislation, implementation and law enforcement with EU standards in this area, but there is also an urgent need for awareness-raising among Turkish citizens.
1. What measures is Türkiye taking to align its animal welfare legislation with the prevailing animal welfare legislation in the EU?
2. What steps is the Commission taking to encourage Türkiye to protect these helpless animals and to raise awareness on animal welfare among Turkish citizens?
Answer : The welfare and management of stray dogs are not regulated at EU level. The Commission provides financial support to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for the implementation of the platform on animal welfare for Europe[1] and its fourth action plan (2024-2026), which aims to improve animal welfare, through priority topics, including stray dog population control. Türkiye, as a member of WOAH and of the platform, participates in training and capacity-building activities related to dog population management, all of which are supported by the Commission. The goal of the platform is to help member countries progressively comply with WOAH standards on animal welfare. The Commission also supports WOAH's work to adopt and revise the existing standards, such as those related to dog population management. As a WOAH member, Türkiye should implement international animal welfare standards, including those on stray dog population management[2].
