Q: Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D, ES) - Regulation applicable to transporting pack dogs (2016-05-17)

There is no specific regulation on what category of animal pack dogs fall into: production, companion or domestic. That is causing owners legal uncertainty about the application of EU, state and regional rules on animal health and welfare.

In general, hunting packs are used for recreation, sport and social events, with no commercial or profit-related aspect and no relation to any economic activity.

The Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) – used as a reference document by veterinary authorities, import and export services, epidemiologists, etc. – does not list canines or pack dogs as production animals.

In this context, can the Commission confirm whether or not pack dogs are companion animals, i.e. animals that are under human control, not kept for consumption or production, and not used for commercial purposes or profit? Which EU regulation should be applied to pack dogs: Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals or Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on transporting livestock?

A: Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (21.6.2016)

The category of pack dogs is not defined in EU law, and the keeping and movements of dogs within a Member State are not regulated by EU law. These issues are matters of national competence of the Member States.

Dogs accompanying their owner during a non-commercial movement across EU borders, including pack dogs, are considered as pet animals within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, without prejudice to specific limitations on numbers and derogations for specific purposes provided for in that Regulation. For any other movement of dogs across borders, the animals shall comply with the animal health conditions laid down in Council Directive 92/65/EEC and the conditions for the protection of animals during transport laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.