EU debates long-awaited new rules on dog and cat welfare and traceability
The EU's AGRI Committee is set to debate a proposal to introduce minimum welfare and traceability standards for dogs and cats across the European Union on Wednesday. The draft legislation, proposed by the European Commission in December 2023, would establish EU-wide rules for the first time. Animal welfare groups warn that significant shortcomings could remain.
The proposal aims to ensure that cats and dogs are registered, identified and included in a centralised EU database. It would impose stricter rules on breeders and keepers, ban cosmetic surgery and tighten rules on online trading - a sector rife with illegal activities that harm animal welfare, consumers and public finances.
EU animal welfare legislation is proposed by the Commission and negotiated between the Parliament and the Council. Within the Parliament, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) plays a key role as it oversees agricultural policy, which includes animal welfare. AGRI influences legislative outcomes through opinions, amendments and negotiations. |
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Stricter standards needed
Reineke Hameleers of the Eurogroup for Animals told The Brussels Times that the legislation could fall short, stressing that all dogs and cats must be identified and registered, not just those in establishments or on the market.
She also called for stricter housing standards, a health and welfare certification scheme to address extreme physical characteristics, and restrictions on the breeding and sale of animals with exaggerated features such as short muzzles or bulging eyes.
Annimal welfare organisationFOUR PAWS also raised serious concerns about the rapidly growing pet trade, which it estimates to be worth 4.6 billion euros a year. The group highlighted the wide variation in welfare standards across EU member states and the prevalence of poor practices, particularly in online and illegal sales, which remain widespread.
"The illegal puppy trade has been recognised as international organised crime"
Nick Weston, head of international companion animal campaigns at FOUR PAWS, underlined the seriousness of the problem in a press release: "The illegal puppy trade has been recognised as international organised crime, which causes severe animal cruelty and considerable mental and financial pain to consumers who fall victim to it," he said. "This is the EU's opportunity to stop it."
Growing online market
Especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, the illegal pet trade has soared, driven by the growing online market, which accounts for 60 per cent of dog and cat sales in the EU. According to FOUR PAWS, more than 2,000 new ads for dogs are posted every day on classified websites in countries such as France, Germany, Poland and Italy.
Four out of five dog ads are for puppies, raising doubts about the legitimacy of sellers and highlighting the difficulty of moderating online platforms. The lack of EU-wide mandatory identification of pets and owners further hampers traceability and allows unethical breeders to exploit legal loopholes.
Booming business
The pet trade is also booming in Belgium, where FOUR PAWS estimates that 176,435 puppies are needed annually to meet a demand worth 167.4 million euros. Legitimate breeders are struggling to keep up, leaving room for illegal traders and cruel breeding practices.
There is currently no EU legislation on dog and cat welfare or traceability, and individual efforts by member states have had limited impact. With 79 million cats and 68 million dogs in the EU, public support for better animal welfare remains high.
© PHOTO JAAP ARRIENS / ZUMA PRESS WIRE
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