Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
20.9.2021
1. EU legislation in force[1] requires compulsory identification of pets when they are to be moved between Member States and when they are moved from third countries. This system is fit for purpose to address the health issues that may arise from these movements.
Furthermore, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005[2] contains two species-specific references to the movement of cats and dogs as a commercial activity: regarding young age and fitness for transport.
The Commission has no legal competence neither in establishing a minimum European framework of protections, nor in the coordination of efforts to tackle the issues mentioned by the Honourable Member.
2. The Commission does not plan to promote pet insurance as this issue is out of the scope of its competencies.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1).
- [2] Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.