Welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

P10_TA(2026)0115

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

PE766.982

European Parliament legislative resolution of 28 April 2026 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability (COM(2023)0769 – C9-0443/2023 – 2023/0447(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0769),

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 114 and 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C90443/2023),

– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 21 March 2024,

– having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 75(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 10 December 2025 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A10-0104/2025),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Takes note of the statements by the Commission annexed to this resolution, which will be published in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union;

3. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

P10_TC1-COD(2023)0447

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 28 April 2026 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2026/1818.)

ANNEX TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

‘Statements on Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2026 on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

Commission statement on the pet passport

The Commission considers positively the initiative of enabling of digitalising the pet passport established under the EU Animal Health Law. A detailed and comprehensive assessment of the technical and practical implications and modalities of such a digitalisation objective is to be carried out within 2 years, in coordination with Member States, including considering major technical, practical, and infrastructural conditions and the option of using the European Digital Identity Wallet developed further to Regulation EU No 910/2014. The Commission will consider adopting delegated acts under the Animal Health Law in order to provide for a digitalisation of the pet passport once these steps are completed.

Commission statement on the positive list of pets

As announced in the 2022 revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking, the Commission has launched a study on the need for, added value of and feasibility of introducing a “positive list of pets” across the EU. The final report of this study will be made publicly available in early 2026. The Commission will consider whether any follow-up is needed.’