Q: Maria Grapini (S&D, RO) - Increase in the number of stray animals (2016-04-04)

In 2010, the EU Council decided to call upon the European Commission to investigate the differences between the Member States and to develop EU harmonisation of legislation regarding pets.

In 2012, the European Parliament adopted a resolution regarding the management of the canine population and responsible ownership. There is also the 2012-2015 EU strategy on animal welfare, which proposes a legislative framework for pets. The issue of stray animal sterilisation is not addressed at a European level and at present there are various contradictory approaches in the Member States.

What are the legislative measures planned by the European Commission for imposing EU rules in order to avoid an increase in the number of stray animals?

A: Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (2016-06-02)

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answers to written questions E-06602/2014, E-009782/2014 and E-005463/2015, which address the issues of stray dogs and of stray dog population management.

The welfare of dogs is not governed by EU rules and this matter remains under the sole competence of the Member States. The Commission is not planning legislative initiatives for adopting EU animal welfare rules on stray dog population management. The Commission supports the work of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that has adopted international standards on stray dog population control. In addition, the Commission is supporting the activities of the OIE Platform on Animal Welfare for Europe, which are also dedicated to facilitating the implementation of the abovementioned standards.