EU Activity Update

Claire Calder

European Policy Advisor

Dogs Trust

Update on the last 12 months

Animal Health Law

• May 2013 - Proposal published by European Commission

• April 2014 - European Parliament voted on amendments to the proposal

Animal Health Law

• Parliament voted for amendments requiring all dogs to be registered by 2018

• Next steps = Council of the EU to adopt its position

• Parliament and Council need to agree text for the proposal to be adopted

EU Pets Conference

• October 2013

• First ever EU conference on dogs and cats

• Almost 500 delegates attended

EU Pets Conference

European Commission conclusions on what is needed (based on the presentations given):

• A definition of general welfare principles and the use of animal welfare indicators for dogs and cats;

• A pan-European network of reference centres that could include cats and dogs in its scope;

• Basic requirements for EU competence for companion animals

EU Pets Conference

• Conference also launched a study into the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices.

• Based on the conference's proceedings and the outcome of the study, the Commission will consider what further action is necessary.

EU study on dogs and cats

Objective = to determine the extent to which the EU should take initiatives to protect the

welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices.

EU study on dogs and cats

• 1 year study, which started in Feb 2014

•12 EU countries included

EU study on dogs and cats

• Online surveys for breeders, dog and cat dealers, NGOs, vets, citizens etc. went live July 2014

• Will report in 2015 and provide options for possible EU actions regarding the breeding, keeping and trade of dogs and cats.

Upcoming opportunities

Ongoing activities

• Animal Health Law

• Study on dogs and cats

• 2nd EU pets conference?

Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed

• Pair of proposals adopted by European Commission in September 2014

• The proposal on veterinary medicinal products aims in particular to make more medicines available in the EU to treat and prevent diseases in animals.

Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed

• The proposal on the modernisation of medicated feed legislation now includes feed for pets in its scope.

Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed

• Next step = European Parliament and Council of the EU to consider Commission proposals and adopt their positions

• We are also assessing the proposals

EU Dog and Cat Alliance

EU Dog and Cat Alliance

• Alliance of organisations working to protect dog and cat welfare

• Members from across the EU

• Members all sign a Charter to agree to the Memorandum of Understanding

• Membership is free!

Aims

• Lobby the EU to introduce and improve EU legislation in relation to dog and cats

• Engage with other key EU stakeholders and collaborate wherever possible

• Provide a forum for the sharing of information

• Commission research, produce reports and briefings for EU lobbying etc.

Members

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Key issues for the Alliance

• Commercial Breeding and Trade

• Movements across Member State borders

• Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed

Note: it is not currently planned to work on stray animal welfare issues, as this is not in EU competence

Website

www.dogandcatwelfare.eu

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Follow us on Twitter

@EUdogsandcats

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Any more questions?

Email us on:

info@dogandcatwelfare.eu