EU tightens pet trade rules with compulsory microchipping
The European Union is set to tighten EU pet trade rules concerning the commerce of puppies and kittens, introducing compulsory microchipping and restricting the breeding of unhealthy dog breeds and brachycephalic breeds.
The new regulations will also limit cruel and unnecessary cosmetic procedures like tail and ear docking, DW reports.
This major legislative step for animal welfare was recently adopted by representatives of the European Parliament and EU Member States. Although the document awaits official approval, it signals a strong intent to combat "puppy trafficking" (the "puppy mafia") which illegally profits from the sale of puppies and kittens.
The EU anticipates introducing stricter control over the online sale of pets and making microchipping mandatory. The compulsory microchipping will be phased in over 10 years for dogs and 15 years for cats.
The size of the EU pet population is vast, currently encompassing roughly 72 million dogs and 83 million cats. The annual value of this pet trade exceeds 1.3 billion euros.
In addition to banning painful practices like ear or tail docking, the new rules aim to restrict the breeding of breeds with detrimental health characteristics, such as those with flattened noses.
"French Bulldogs and pugs are the two most problematic breeds, bred specifically for extreme traits," German veterinarian Kirsten Tönnies told the FAZ publication. "To suffer from chronic suffocation is terrible. Other breeds face debilitating pain in their intervertebral discs and joints, constant eye infections, and chronic itching."
Tönnies noted that the vast majority of these animals are currently imported from Romania, as well as from Hungary and Serbia. He urged the public and breeders to abandon the breeding of hairless and Persian cats, Maine Coons, French Bulldogs, and pugs, emphasizing that these animals are condemned to lifelong suffering.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
