The EU's power to intervene in the extermination of Romanian stray dogs

29.1.2018

Question for written answer E-000460-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Petri Sarvamaa (PPE)

The treatment of stray dogs in Romania has reached a new low. The mayor of Râmnicu Vâlcea recently announced that 500 stray dogs would be killed, despite the fact that these dogs live in a public kennel that is funded by several European animal protection organisations. This has provoked several enquiries from citizens about the EU’s power to intervene.

The Commission has made it clear in the past that issues related to stray dog populations fall outside the Union’s field of competence. However, it is also well known that Romania receives EU funding for promoting animal welfare. There is a general understanding among animal protection activists that the EU is funding programmes that specifically target the problem of stray dogs in Romania.

In addition, the Commission has issued the Romanian authorities with a recommendation to adhere to the welfare standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Romania has clearly fallen short of these standards, at least as regards the treatment of stray dogs.

Are there any aspects of this situation in which the EU could intervene?

Have any EU funds been targeted towards the issue of stray dogs in Romania or in other Member States?