Q: Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ) - Measures regulating the keeping of domestic animals (2015-01-05)

When domestic animals are kept in the Czech Republic, instances of maltreatment have been recorded and of animals being kept in inadequate conditions. Institutions known as domestic animal breeding centres, especially for dogs, are a problem not only for the Czech Republic, but also for other EU countries, specifically, for example, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. The animals are often kept without adequate food, they lack the necessary veterinary care and many animals die as a result of such maltreatment.

The question therefore arises: Is anything being done at European level which would define the conditions for the keeping of domestic animals to prevent bad practices in the keeping (and sale) of animals throughout the EU?

A: Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (10.3.2015)

Answer given byThe Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer to written questions E-007896/2014, which address the issues of the trade (sale) in puppies.

The EU competences in animal welfare are limited to the EU policies mentioned in Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). There is no evidence that pet protection or responsible ownership practices of pet animals would fall within one of those policy areas. Therefore, such activities fall within the competences of the Member States.

In the context of EU animal welfare strategy 2012-2015 the Commission decided to perform a study on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices. The study is not yet completed. When available, the Commission will conduct a careful analysis of the data of the study and assess the relevance of its publication.