Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission

17.5.2018

Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[1] on the Union policy on animal welfare states that:

‘In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research, and technological development and space policies, the Union and Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to cultural traditions and regional heritage’.

The welfare of stray animals is not part of any of the abovementioned Union's policies.

In light of the above, the Commission is not considering taking initiatives in this area.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=EN