Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission
23.7.2012
EU legislation on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals into a Member State from another Member State or from a third country[1] includes inter alia provisions on the identification of dogs, cats and ferrets by means of the implantation of an injectable transponder (‘microchip’).
Current provisions are based on the results of numerous studies and international practical experience with electronic identification of animals of different species. In addition, large scale electronic identification of dogs was already practised in several EU Member States before Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 entered into force.
Even if precise data are not available, it can be estimated that in the last decade many millions of dogs have been identified by means of injectable transponders in the EU. The Commission is not aware of any scientific report indicating that the correct application of such transponders would cause cancer.
- [1] Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals (OJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1).
OJ C 262 E, 11/09/2013