The ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union have agreed this Wednesday on their mandate to later negotiate with the European Parliament (EP) the final version of a law that aims improve the well-being of dogs and cats and which sets minimum standards at EU level for the first time.

The EU Council, which brings together the member states, has indicated in a statement that the legislative proposal of the European Commission aims to increase the well-being of dogs and cats from breeders, sales establishments and shelterswhile also aiming to improve consumer protection, ensure fair competition and combat illegal trade.

“The proposal does not affect individual pet owners. However, anyone who wants to place a cat or dog on the EU market will have to ensure that it carries a microchip for traceability purposes,” the community institution has stated.

As the requirements of the legislative proposal are minimum standards, Member States can maintain or introduce stricter rules. The negotiating position agreed this Wednesday by the ambassadors of the Twenty-Seven maintains the main principles on well-being proposed by the Commission, such as the regulation of breeding, with frequency limits and minimum and maximum age.

Besides, certain breeding practices would be prohibitedsuch as endogamy (breeding between parents and children, between siblings and half-siblings and between grandparents and grandchildren), although the position of the countries makes it clear that inbreeding can be used to preserve local breeds with a limited genetic pool.

They would also be prohibited painful mutilations, such as ear or tail docking and claw removal, unless they respond to a medical indication. In the case of dogs older than twelve weeks, it is indicated that they must have daily access to an outside space or they must be walked every day.

Operators and establishments will have to ensure that all dogs and cats they have a microchip and are registered in a national database before being sold or donated. In addition, those caring for such animals must have “an adequate understanding of their behaviour and needs” and, when selling or donating dogs and cats, the person in charge of them must raise awareness about responsible ownership.

The Member States have introduced a series of changes to their negotiating mandate compared to the initial proposal of the Community Executive, including a clarification that operators cannot abandon dogs or cats and the ban on hybrid breeding (the result of crossing with a wild species).

Besides, cats and dogs that have had two cesarean sections They will not be used for reproduction, to protect their health and well-being, according to the mandate approved by the countries. Likewise, dogs and cats with extreme traits should be excluded from breeding, to avoid passing these traits on to future generations if there is a high risk of detrimental effects to their well-being or that of their offspring.

On the other hand, in line with the Commission’s proposal, imports They will be subject to the same or equivalent standards. Negotiations between the EU Council and the European Parliament, the EU’s co-legislators, will begin once Parliament has agreed its position. The outcome of those conversations will determine the final version of the law.

Current EU legislation only applies to dogs and cats intended for scientific purposes or transported for commercial purposes or to prevent the spread of rabies and other contagious diseases, while national rules in Member States vary widely.