Illegal docking of piglet tails in the Netherlands

2.9.2024

Question for written answer  E-001586/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anja Hazekamp (The Left)

Routine docking (burning off or clipping) of piglets’ tails has been banned in the EU since 1991.[1] 89 % of Europeans support a ban on the cutting off of body parts of animals.[2] Moreover, EFSA has confirmed that the practice of tail docking should not be carried out.[3]

In almost all EU Member States, the relevant legislation is being infringed. In the Netherlands, 99 % of piglets still have their tails burnt off or clipped without anaesthetic. As a result, complaints have recently been lodged with the European Commission.[4][5]

• 1.How does the Commission assess the implementation of Directive 2008/120/EC, which bans the routine docking of piglet tails?
• 2.Will the Commission take steps against the EU Member States concerned, in the form of fines or other sanctions, to enforce implementation of the directive in the short term?
• 3.After having spent years carrying out activities that have not led to concrete improvements, including performing audits, developing educational materials, promoting best practices, pushing for action plans and repeatedly engaging in dialogue with EU Member States, does the Commission deem it necessary to initiate infringement proceedings against EU Member States that fail to comply with the legislation?

Submitted: 2.9.2024

• [1] Directive 2008/120/EC, Annex I, point 8.
• [2] Special Eurobarometer, Attitudes of Europeans towards Animal Welfare, March 2023.
• [3] EFSA Scientific Opinion, Welfare of pigs on farm, June 2022.
• [4] https://eerstekamer.partijvoordedieren.nl/nieuws/partij-voor-de-dieren-eerste-kamer-dient-klacht-in-bij-europese-commissie-over-illegaal-afbranden-biggenstaartjes
• [5] https://www.animalrights.be/animal-rights-dient-klacht-bij-europese-commissie-over-illegaal-afbranden-biggenstaartjes-belgië