On Tuesday, the Agriculture Committee established its stance on EU standards concerning the breeding, housing, and handling of cats and dogs. The committee adopted the first EU rules for the welfare and traceability of these animals with 35 votes in favor, 2 against, and 9 abstentions.
The proposed regulations are intended to apply to those responsible for breeding or selling dogs and cats in establishments and shelters, as well as those placing them into foster homes. Private dog and cat owners would not be affected by these rules.
Under the new rules, all dogs and cats held by breeders, sellers, shelters, or offered for sale or donation online must be individually identifiable via microchip. These microchipped animals should be registered in interoperable national databases. According to MEPs, identification numbers of microchips along with information about the corresponding national database should be stored in a single index database managed by the Commission.
To prevent loopholes that might allow dogs and cats to enter the EU as non-commercial pets but later sold within the region, MEPs aim to extend these rules to cover both commercial imports and non-commercial movements. Dogs and cats imported from third countries for sale would need to be microchipped before entering the EU and registered in a national database within two working days after entry. Pet owners bringing animals into the EU would have to pre-register their microchipped pets on an online database at least five days before arrival.
The proposal includes prohibitions on breeding between parents and offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as siblings and half-siblings. Puppies and kittens may not be separated from their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old unless justified by veterinary reasons. The regulation also caps litters per female animal and mandates rest periods between pregnancies to prevent exploitation.
MEPs advocate for a ban on breeding dogs or cats with excessive conformational traits that could harm their welfare. They also propose prohibiting such animals—alongside mutilated ones—from participating in shows, exhibitions, or competitions.
After the vote, Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, CZ), rapporteur and Chair of the AGRI Committee stated: “This proposal is a clear move against illegal breeding and the irresponsible importation of animals from outside the EU. At the same time it fully respects ordinary owners and responsible breeders who should not be unduly burdened by regulations.”
The report is now set for a vote in Parliament’s plenary session. If approved there talks with EU government ministers can commence.
As around 44% of households in the EU own pet animals trade involving dogs and cats has increased significantly over recent years reaching an annual value of EUR 1.3 billion according to Commission data. The online market including illegal trade accounts for 60% of all dog cat sales across member states prompting this legislative proposal introduced on December 7th 2023 due lack unified minimum animal welfare standards across region.
