Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission
23.7.2013
European Union institutions must stay within the competences conferred on them by the Treaties. Their power to improve animal welfare by law making and enforcement is limited to the policies mentioned in Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, i.e. agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space. As a result, the Commission has no mandate to put forward a legal framework for the protection of pets and stray animals.
Regarding the identification and registration of dogs and cats, 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 and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC[1] provides a framework for the identification of pet animals that may also be used by Member States for the identification of such animals within their territory.[2]
That said, the Commission envisages performing a study on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices[3]. The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
- [1] OJ L 146, 13.6.2003, p. 1‐9.
- [2] As confirmed by the Court of Justice o the European Union in Joined Cases C-42/10, C-45/10 and C-57/10 Judgment available at: http://curia.europa.eu.
- [3] EU Strategy on the protection and welfare of animals 2012-2015 COM(2012)6 final.
OJ C 47 E, 19/02/2014