Q: Jeppe Kofod (S&D, DK) - The Commission's animal welfare strategy 2012-2015 and the Animal Health Law (2017-05-22)

With regard to the Commission’s animal welfare strategy 2012-2015 and the Animal Health Law:

1. What tangible steps have been taken to ensure protection of pet-animal welfare in EU legislation?

2. Can the Commission provide an updated timetable for the implementation of all actions under the animal welfare strategy 2012-2015, given the Commissioner's previous statements that an updated animal welfare strategy can only be launched once the objectives already set have been realised?

3. Can the Commission provide an overview of proposed delegated acts in connection with the 2016 Animal Health Law, which is expected to improve pet-animal welfare, including as regards the major animal welfare issues that are encountered where pet selling is unregulated?

A: Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (2017-07-17)

As the Commission pointed out in its answer to Written Question E-007409/2016, the welfare of pets is not governed by EU rules.

So far, the Commission has completed 13 out of 19 actions listed in ‘Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015’. The remaining six actions are foreseen to be completed by the end of 2017 and are as follows:

a) Three studies: pilot project on best practices for animal transport; preparation of best practices on the protection of animals at the time of killing; on the welfare of farmed fish: common practices during transport and at slaughter.

b) Three reports from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council:

— on the possibility of introducing certain requirements regarding the protection of fish at the time of killing;

— on the application of Directive 2007/43/EC and its influence on the welfare of chickens bred and kept for meat production;

— on the impact of animal welfare international activities on the competitiveness of European livestock producers in a globalised world.

The Animal Health Law lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible to animals or to humans. It does not contain provisions which regulate animal welfare nor empowerments on the Commission to adopt rules in this regard. Therefore, the Commission cannot propose any delegated acts on the basis of the Animal Health Law to address the animal welfare of dogs and cats.