Document type: press release from the European Parliament
Author: European Parliament
Preview: MEPs gave their final approval to the first-ever European standards on the breeding, housing, traceability, importation, and handling of cats and dogs, with 558 votes in favor, 35 against, and 52 abstentions. The new rules, already approved by the Council, require that all cats and dogs in the EU, including those owned by private individuals, be identifiable via a microchip and registered in interoperable national databases. Sellers, breeders, and shelters will have four years from the entry into force of the legislation to prepare for it. For pet owners who do not sell animals, this requirement will apply after 10 years for dogs and after 15 years for cats.
Ban on Unfair or Health-Risking Commercial Practices
Breeding between parents and their offspring, between grandparents and grandchildren, as well as between siblings and half-siblings, will be prohibited. Breeding dogs or cats to confer exaggerated or excessive characteristics that pose significant health risks will also be prohibited. The new measures include a ban on mutilating dogs and cats for the purposes of shows, exhibitions, or competitions. It will also be prohibited to tie a dog or cat to an object (chaining)—except when necessary for medical treatment—and to use spiked or choke collars lacking built-in safety mechanisms.
Dogs and cats from third countries
The new legislation covers not only imports for commercial purposes but also the movement of animals for non-commercial purposes, in order to address loopholes that allow dogs and cats to enter the EU as non-commercial pets only to be sold. Dogs and cats imported from third countries for commercial purposes must be microchipped before entering the EU and then registered in a national database. Pet owners entering the EU will be required to pre-register their microchipped animal in a database at least five working days before arrival, unless it is already registered in an EU country’s database.
Quote
The rapporteur and Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, Czech Republic), stated: “Today, we have taken an important step toward truly regulating the trade in dogs and cats within the European Union. Our message is clear: a pet is a member of the family, not an object or a toy. We finally have stricter rules on breeding and traceability that will help us fight those who view animals as a means of making a quick profit. At the same time, we are ensuring fair conditions for honest European breeders.”
Next steps
The legislation must now be adopted by the Council before it can enter into force.
Background
About 44% of European citizens own a pet, and 74% of them believe that their well-being should be better protected. The trade in dogs and cats has increased significantly in recent years and is worth 1.3 billion euros annually. According to the European Commission, about 60% of owners buy their cat or dog online. In the absence of animal welfare standards for cats and dogs in European countries, the Commission proposed these new rules on December 7, 2023.
From the European Parliament website
