Q: Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR, EL) – European framework for the protection of pets (2021-01-28)

Under Article 13 TFEU the EU must pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and enforcing EU policies.

Insuring pets is currently optional, and in the absence of relevant rules covering the whole of Europe, in some Member States such insurance is not even an option. The different legal frameworks that apply in each Member State give rise to differing treatment. It is telling that approximately 50% of domestic animals in Sweden are insured and the United Kingdom, outside the EU, is next with a 23% insurance rate.

The costs of nursing, medicines and surgical operations for pets vary widely, creating opportunities for unfair and unjustified overcharging. The level of insurance for pets varies from company to company.

If more pets were insured, the prices owners would have to pay would be lower.

In addition, there is no single reference framework for the prices of medicines for pets, and so prices are set in an arbitrary fashion in each veterinary practice or pet shop.

Unfortunately, the cost of treating various illnesses and the cost of operations is often the underlying reason for thousands of domestic animals being abandoned every year.

Mandatory registration of pets using microchips, which would reduce the possibility of pets being lost and would strengthen the strategy for tackling their abandonment, does not seem to receive effective support.

In the light of this:

1. Does the Commission see added value in a minimum European framework of protections or the coordination of efforts to tackle the issues mentioned above?

2. Does it plan to promote pet insurance? If so, how?

A: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

1. EU legislation in force^[1] requires compulsory identification of pets when they are to be moved between Member States and when they are moved from third countries. This system is fit for purpose to address the health issues that may arise from these movements.

Furthermore, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005^[2] contains two species-specific references to the movement of cats and dogs as a commercial activity: regarding young age and fitness for transport.

The Commission has no legal competence neither in establishing a minimum European framework of protections, nor in the coordination of efforts to tackle the issues mentioned by the Honourable Member.

2. The Commission does not plan to promote pet insurance as this issue is out of the scope of its competencies.

[1] Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1).

[2] Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.