Banning the monkey trade and the keeping of monkeys as pets
12.4.2022
Question for written answer E-001443/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Annika Bruna (ID), Jiří Pospíšil (PPE)
In order to tackle the illegal monkey trade some countries have banned the rearing and sale of these animals.
However, some Member States’ legislation allows monkeys to be kept as pets provided that their origin can be accounted for and that an administrative authorisation is obtained.
This exception is flawed because it enables legal trade that can conceal the black market. Above all, it also normalises keeping monkeys as pets, regardless of their fundamental needs.
Monkeys are wild animals that need to live in their natural habitat in order to develop their physical and cognitive abilities and to benefit from enriching social interactions with other monkeys. Captivity also deprives them of a balanced diet and weakens their immune system.
- 1.As part of its revision of animal welfare legislation, will the Commission propose that Member States adopt a closed and restrictive list of wild species permitted to be kept as pets?
- 2.If so, will monkeys be excluded from this list of permitted animals as a result of their unique characteristics?