Updated 12.49 | Published 12.19
Identification with a microchip is to be required on all cats and dogs sold by breeders in the EU, according to new proposals in Brussels.
Tougher requirements are also placed on animal transport – including with new refrigeration rules.
Maros Sefcovic is both EU commissioner and master.
– I am the proud owner of two dogs and a cat and I understand how important it is to be able to trust vaccinations, certificates of origin and assurances that they have not suffered, says the Slovak at a press conference in Brussels.
Therefore, there are now proposals for significantly broader common rules. For example, the commission wants all cats and dogs from breeders to be microchipped and registered in national databases. People who work with breeding need to have sufficient training, while imports from countries outside the EU must be tightened and require registration within 48 hours.
In addition, the requirements regarding breeding and breeding are also tightened.
Cold and hot
In parallel, updated proposals for animal transport in the EU are also presented for the first time in 20 years. Among other things, the commission wants to see shorter transport times, more rest for the animals and stricter conditions regarding transport in heat or cold.
If the daytime temperature is above 30 degrees, for example, transport must only be allowed at night. In freezing temperatures, covered vehicles and wind protection are required, and if it is colder than minus five, no transport may last longer than nine hours.
“Unbearable”
The update has long been demanded from animal rights activists, while environmentalists are already flagging that they will press for even tougher requirements during the treatment that is now starting in the EU Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.
“For years, repeated violations during transport have led to unbearable suffering for millions of animals. . . Unfortunately, the proposed measures do not go far enough,” says, for example, EU Member of Parliament Tilly Metz from the Greens in Luxembourg in a press release.
FACT The other has a cat or a dog
On Thursday, the European Commission presented new proposals for animal transport and the well-being of cats and dogs.
For the latter, common EU rules previously only existed with regard to scientific purposes, commercial transport and the spread of disease. Now mainly rules for breeding, trade, breeding and import are added. However, individual pet owners are not affected by the proposals.
According to the European Commission, 44 percent of all households in the EU have pets.
Facts: The European Commission
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