Q: Emma McClarkin (ECR, UK) - Illegal trade in dogs and cats (2017-02-16)

Funded by the Commission and published in March 2016, a study on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices found that: ‘For the proper functioning of the internal market it is essential that trade is allowed to continue unimpeded. National legislation regarding trade or movement of pets is generally in accordance with EU legislation. However, compliance differs between Member States, as reported by competent authorities. Breeders declared that competition is generally unequal at the EU level.’

1. Does the Commission intend to draw up an Action Plan in order to address the negative implications of the illegal companion animal trade highlighted by the study?

2. What further action does the Commission recommend that Member States take?

A: Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (2017-03-16)

As the Commission pointed out in its answers to written questions E-004525/2008, E-003787/2009, E-006868/2010, E-008449/2010, E-002270/2011, E-003343/2011, E-006602/2011, E-006808/2011, P-002142/2012, E-004247/2012, E-007168/2012, E-005475/2013, P-000091/2015, E-002848/2016, E-005544/2016, E-006758/2016, E-007387/2016, E-000163/2017 and E-000420/2017, which address the study on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices(1) and illegal trade in dogs and cats, the Commission has taken numerous initiatives to assist Member States in their endeavour to enforce EU animal health and welfare rules in relation to the transport, trade in and non-commercial movement of dogs and cats across EU borders.