New regulation
On 28 April, the European Parliament voted in favour of a new EU regulation on well-being of dogs and cats and their traceability. The text was approved by a majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This represents the final stage of a lengthy negotiation process involving the European Commission, Member States, and the European Parliament itself. One of the main objectives of this law is to combat illegal and unfair commercial dog breeding practices. To this end, the new regulation establishes harmonized rules for breeders, foster families, and retail outlets that sell animals. Hunters, who sometimes breed dogs, may also fall within the scope of the regulation if the dogs are subsequently offered for sale. It is important to note that the law distinguishes between small breeders (up to two litters per year) and breeders (more than two litters per year). FACE worked with policymakers throughout the decision-making process to help ensure a balanced and proportionate text that protects animal welfare without imposing excessive burdens on private dog owners. Let's look at the key elements together.
Identification and registration
All dogs and cats, whether in a shop, shelter, or private home, must be microchipped and registered. Most European countries already require this for dogs.
Placing on the market
The final text clearly excludes sporadic and irregular supplies from the definition of "placing on the market" (i.e., sale, offering for sale, distribution, or any other form of transfer of ownership). This is crucial to ensuring that non-commercial and occasional activities remain outside the scope of the Regulation. This was an important request from FACE.
Welfare obligations for small breeders
The text maintains a distinction between small breeders (up to two litters per year) and breeders (more than two litters per year). Although small breeders are subject to less stringent requirements, they are still required to comply with a series of minimum animal welfare obligations. These obligations apply to all breeders and dog owners who breed, sell, or donate dogs, regardless of the size of their business. Several activities are prohibited, including the use of "electricity." In many European countries, electronic collars are used on hunting dogs to protect them from dangerous situations while hunting, for example, preventing road accidents or collisions with livestock. This new law will not affect the use of electronic collars on dogs that are not sold for sale.
Tail docking
The text includes a positive provision confirming that tail docking can be performed for prophylactic reasons, where necessary to preserve the dog's health, in accordance with national legislation. This is another important point requested by FACE to ensure unnecessary suffering is avoided for dogs working in dense vegetation and at risk of tail injuries.
Lighting and temperature requirements
The final text replaces the reference to darkness with a requirement of eight hours without artificial light and eliminates specific internal temperature thresholds for adult dogs, adopting an approach more suited to the different climatic and geographical conditions of the Member States. The regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal and will apply after two years. Extended implementation periods are envisaged for some specific articles. Commenting on the adoption of the regulation, FACE President Dr. Laurens Hoedemaker said: “The welfare of hunting dogs is a priority for 7 million hunters. When applying the rules, it is essential that national authorities keep in mind the distinction between dogs placed on the market and those kept as private pets, in order to avoid unwanted regulatory burdens for private dog owners.” (Source: FACE)
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