Brussels/EU-wide – The EU is taking steps to address the illegal trade in puppies and kittens. The EU Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) has voted in Brussels on the “EU Regulation on the Welfare of Dogs and Cats and their Traceability.” This regulation aims to enhance traceability and transparency, particularly concerning the online sale of pets. The proposal will proceed to a vote across the entire EU Parliament.
The regulation mandates labeling and registration for all traded dogs and cats. It seeks to improve living conditions in breeding facilities across Europe by establishing minimum standards. The goal is to eliminate the trade in illegally bred and traded animals, which are often unhealthy or mistreated. According to the animal welfare organization “Four Paws,” the annual demand for dogs in the EU is valued at 4.6 billion euros, with at least 54 million euros in Austria alone. Approximately 38 million euros of this demand is attributed to dogs from unverified sources.
Exploiting Legal Loopholes
The inconsistent legal frameworks among EU countries create loopholes that illegal trading networks exploit. Four Paws reports that the origins of 79 percent of dogs demanded in Europe cannot be traced to any legal or verifiable sources. The organization has long advocated for a labeling and registration requirement for all dogs and cats. Though the original proposal included a comprehensive EU-wide requirement for all cats, this aspect has been scaled back.
ÖVP MEP Alexander Bernhuber expressed satisfaction with the compromise reached: “We have avoided unnecessary detailed regulations that would complicate life for dog and cat owners,” stated Bernhuber, the agricultural and environmental spokesperson for the ÖVP in the European Parliament. “Exempting farm cats from the microchip requirement is a significant achievement, saving many owners costs and administrative burdens.”
Green Waitz Critiques Exceptions
Thomas Waitz, the agricultural spokesperson for the Greens in the European Parliament, criticized numerous changes and exceptions to the initial proposal, including standards for housing and feeding: “Common sense dictates that all member states should be held accountable for improving animal welfare to prevent suffering and protect Austrian breeders from low-cost competition. The dilutions and obstructions by the ÖVP are baffling. A minimum of 4m2 for cats and daily exercise for dogs should not be too much to ask for animal welfare. This approach will only timidly curb illegal animal trade.”
Following today’s vote in the Agriculture Committee of the EU Parliament, the proposed regulation is expected to be reviewed in plenary before the summer. Subsequently, consensus must be reached on the final legislative text among the Parliament, the Council of Member States, and the EU Commission. (03.06.25)
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