Brussels: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have proposed comprehensive new regulations to enhance the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats within the European Union. The draft legislation, approved by the Parliament, represents the first EU-wide standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of these animals.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the draft law mandates that all dogs and cats in the EU be microchipped and registered in interoperable national databases. The microchip identification numbers and corresponding national database information would be consolidated into a single index database managed by the European Commission. The proposal also seeks to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, a measure aimed at addressing concerns about animal welfare and illegal breeding practices.
To address potential loopholes, MEPs propose extending the regulations to cover both commercial and non-commercial imports of dogs and cats from third countries. This would require imported animals to be microchipped before entering the EU and registered in a national database. Pet owners bringing their animals into the EU would need to pre-register them online at least five working days prior to arrival.
The proposed rules also include strict breeding regulations to prevent mating between closely related animals and prohibit the breeding of dogs or cats with excessive conformational traits that could harm their welfare. The use of prong and choke collars without safety tops and tethering, except for medical reasons, would also be banned.
The European Parliament adopted its position on these rules with a significant majority, highlighting a clear stance against illegal breeding and irresponsible animal importation. Rapporteur Veronika Vrecionov¡ emphasized the shared commitment to animal welfare as a strong foundation for future discussions with the Commission and Council.
Next, MEPs will engage in negotiations with the Council to finalize the law’s details. The trade in dogs and cats, valued at £1.3 billion annually, has grown significantly, with 60% of owners purchasing their pets online. The Commission initially proposed these regulations in response to the absence of unified animal welfare standards across member states.