Four paws: “Voting is progress for animal welfare in the EU”
Brussels/Hamburg. The European Parliament spoke out on Thursday, June 19, in a vote for getting a strict law on well -being and traceability of dogs and cats throughout Europe. The animal protection organizations Four Pfoten and Eurogroup for Animals praise the MPs for their consent of three central pillars in animal welfare: minimum standards for most breeders, improved traceability of dogs and cats as well as the introduction of a positive list.
“This coordination is a real progress for animal welfare in the EU,” says Georgia Diamantopoulou, head of the European debris of four paws. “Every dog and cat deserves protection, regardless of the size of the breeding operation.”
Animal welfare standards for most breeders
The consent of the European Parliament on minimum requirements for animal welfare for most breeders is a breakthrough for animal welfare. Basic standards – such as species -appropriate feeding, veterinary care and protection against cruelty to animals – now apply to the majority of breeders in the EU. This makes an un -regulated backyard breeding and abusive breeding of puppies and kittens pushed a bar.
“Finally we can speak of an attempt to completely regulate the trade with pets. For too long, animals were bred and held under poor conditions in a multimillion euro industry,” commented Iwona Mertin, head of the program for pets at the Eurogroup for Animals.
A brave step against illegal pet trade
The European Parliament also decidedly spoke out against illegal pet trading in the vote and supported the complete labeling and registration of all dogs and cats. This long overdue measure will make illegal dealers significantly more difficult to act anonymously, since every animal must now be traceable. “This finally closed the gap for illegal breeders,” commented Diamantopoulou.
Disappointment regarding the online sale of pets
The MPs, on the other hand, voted against the introduction of the online registration review systems planned by the European Commission. These would have made it possible for buyers to have the labeling and registration of an animal confirmed via a special website.
Prohibition of selling dogs and cats in animal actions
In a pioneering decision, the European Parliament voted for a ban on selling dogs and cats in animal actions. This closes an important channel for impulse purchases and irresponsible breeding, which is often associated with poor animal husbandry conditions.
Four paws and the Eurogroup for Animals are now asking the EU Council and the European Parliament, the provisions for labeling and registration (K&R) to strengthen during the upcoming trilogue negotiations and work on a rapid adoption of the final regulation.