Puppy smuggling

6.1.2015

Question for written answer P-000091-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anneliese Dodds (S&D)

Evidence suggests that to avoid the more onerous commercial rules (established under Council Directive 92/65/EEC) a rising number of transnational puppy sellers disguise their activity as the non-commercial movement of pet animals, which is covered by the less strict Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, and fail to even meet the requirements of this regulation. This includes the movement of puppies which are underage, have falsified documents and/or have not had the correct vaccinations. This illegal trade poses a risk to public and animal health as well as consumer protection. Although new legislation on the non-commercial movement of pets (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013) came into force on 29 December 2014, it will only introduce minor changes and is unlikely to solve the problem of lack of enforcement.

In their role as guardians of the treaties, the Commission and its services such as the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) are responsible for ensuring that EU legislation on animal health and welfare is properly implemented and enforced.

How does the Commission plan to ensure the enforcement of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 now that it has come into force, given the issues of enforcement with Regulation (EC) No 998/2003?