European Parliament calls for action on dog population management and identification

Posted on 13/10/2011

Eurogroup for Animals is extremely pleased that the European Parliament has supported a Written Declaration calling on the Commission and Member States to develop a cohesive policy for dog population management and compulsory identification and registration of dogs. This sends a clear message to the European Commission that it must act now and respond to Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which states that, animals are sentient beings and that the EU and Member States must pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals.

This Written Declaration reinforces the message sent by the European Council during the Belgian Presidency at the end of 2010 when Council Conclusions on the welfare of cats and dogs were agreed. These conclusions called on the European Commission to include the welfare of companion animals in the second EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals and represent a first step in developing a harmonised approach across the EU for companion animals.

 “We are extremely grateful to the European Parliament for recognising the current difficulties experienced by not having a co-ordinated approach to companion animals across the European Union and for supporting this Written Declaration. Currently there are major differences in animal welfare standards across EU member states and there is a need for concerted action to improve the situation,”said Sonja Van Tichelen, Director of Eurogroup for Animals.

“We hope that the Commission will now act swiftly to address the concerns raised in both this Written Declaration and the Council Conclusions agreed at the end of last year. It is vital that we have a co-ordinated policy approach across the EU to prevent animal suffering and halt the spread of disease and illegal trade,”she concluded.

Eurogroup for Animals will work to ensure that the European Commission incorporates the welfare of companion animals robustly into the next animal welfare strategy and that the demands of Europe’s citizens represented by the members of the European Parliament are listened to and acted upon.