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OPINION (COM(2023)0769 – C90443/2023 – 2023/0447(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

ENVI-AD-766664

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Manuela Ripa

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The committee opinion proposes amendments to the proposed regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats, aiming to strengthen welfare, traceability, and combat illegal trade. It extends obligations to all breeders, bans pet shop sales, enhances registration and online sales verification, and calls for evaluating an EU-wide list of suitable pets.

Committee position. The Committee on the Environment proposes amendments to strengthen the regulation, including extending scope to all breeders, banning pet shop sales, and enhancing traceability.

Key points

  1. Extends scope to all breeders, including small-scale, requiring registration and identification of all dogs and cats.
  2. Prohibits keeping or selling dogs and cats in pet shops.
  3. Requires online platforms to verify identification and registration of animals before sale, with automated checks.
  4. Mandates annual unannounced animal health and welfare visits by official veterinarians, with follow-up within two months if severe risks.
  5. Prohibits breeding dogs and cats with extreme features, including brachycephalic features, that compromise welfare.
  6. Requires registration of dogs and cats in national databases within 7 days of identification, with lineage for breeding animals.
  7. Sets transition periods: identification of dogs within 5 years, cats within 10 years; application of regulation after 18 months.
  8. Requires dogs and cats entering the EU to be identified and registered in a Member State database before entry.
  9. Calls for Commission to establish an index database for interoperability and a public database of shelters.
  10. Encourages Member States to implement neutering campaigns, information campaigns, and financial support for shelters.
  11. Requires penalties for infringements to include bans on owning or working with animals for serious or repeated cases.
  12. Mandates evaluation within 5 years, including assessment of a possible EU-wide list of allowed pet species and less invasive identification.

Who is affected

  • Breeders, including small-scale, must register and identify animals.
  • Pet shops are banned from selling dogs and cats.
  • Online platforms must verify animal registration before sales.
  • Veterinarians have new duties for welfare visits and reporting.
  • Importers must ensure dogs and cats are registered before entry.

Figures and deadlines

  • Shelters with up to 15 dogs or cats are subject to certain obligations.
  • Identification of dogs within 5 years, cats within 10 years from entry into force.
  • Registration within 7 days of identification.
  • Application from 18 months after entry into force.
  • Monitoring report every 3 years after first report at 5 years.
  • Evaluation and review within 5 years.