Q: Marlene Mizzi (S&D, MT) - Stray dogs in Romania (2014-09-04)

What measures have been taken to improve the situation of stray dogs in Romania?

Could the Commission provide information on the implementation stage of the programme as per Commission Implementing Decision 2013/722/EU?

A: Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission (2014-10-29)

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answers to written questions E-006543/2011, E-007161/2011, E-002062/2012, E-005276/2013, E-004001/2014 and E-004968/2014, which address the issues of stray dogs and of dog population management and the EU’s competence on this matter.

The Commission is supporting the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in developing guidelines for the control of stray dog populations. These guidelines highlight the important role of local government agencies in the enforcement of national legislation on dog ownership. They also emphasise the importance of establishing responsible bodies for the implementation of training to regulate dog capture, transport, and holding as well as minimum housing and care criteria.

The Commission contributed to the first OIE Regional Workshop on stray dog population management which was held in Bucharest on 17-19 June 2014.

As regards the implementation of the 2014 programmes approved by the Commission Implementing Decision 2013/722/EU, the spring vaccination campaign for oral vaccination of foxes could not be implemented, due to the high temperatures in Romania in the period when the vaccines were available. The Romanian Authorities are expected to implement the autumn campaign as foreseen.