Animal protection

15.12.2011

Question for written answer E-012303/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Herbert Dorfmann (PPE)

For several weeks the press has been reporting on the recently adopted Romanian law legalising the systematic killing of stray dogs, and on the large-scale slaughter of dogs in Ukraine in the run-up to the European football championships in 2012. Ukraine has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995. On 25 October 2010 Parliament adopted a resolution allowing Ukraine to apply for membership of the EU. Romania has been an EU Member State since 2007. With regard to European policy, Romania’s course of action is contrary to the animal welfare principles enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty (Article 13 of the TFEU) that are binding on both the European institutions and the Member States. In recent years more than 150 000 stray dogs have reportedly been killed in Bucharest, an operation costing over EUR 5 million. The only viable solution is a large-scale castration campaign, including simultaneous marking of as yet uncastrated dogs.

What is the Commission doing to ensure that the Member States comply with Article 13 of the TFEU, and what action will be taken if they do not?

How can Romania’s aforementioned course of action be compatible with its membership of the EU?

Can the Commission call upon Romania to use public money to castrate stray dogs and control their reproduction, rather than financing their slaughter?

OJ C 285 E, 21/09/2012