Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission

30.10.2012

Animal welfare is one of the most important issues in the accession negotiations with Turkey in the area of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy. As a candidate country, Turkey needs to progressively align its legislation, implementation and law enforcement with the EU standards in this area. Awareness-raising among the Turkish citizens is also of paramount importance. The Commission is following the issue closely, in particular since the opening of the negotiations in this field in June 2010.

However, at present there is no EU rule governing the welfare of stray dogs and, as a consequence, this issue remains under the sole responsibility of the Member States and candidate countries.

OJ C 276 E, 25/09/2013