WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Illegal importing of dogs to Belgium

A French television programme shown on 22 March 2002 included a report stating that dogs are being illegally imported into Belgium from eastern countries. The dogs reach Belgium from countries such as Slovakia and Ukraine and are then sold to certain shops for a price of between EUR 30 and 75. The shops then take it upon themselves to issue pedigrees to the dogs, thus turning them into products for export to the entire European Union, and sell them on at prices of up to EUR 400.

Aside from the illegality of this trafficking, the problem is that very often many dogs are ill, resulting in a very high mortality rate.

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of this illegal trade, and whether it intends in the future to ensure that both consumers and the dogs which undergo this trafficking are protected?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2002)

The Commission is aware from the media that dogs from eastern countries are being imported illegally into the Community and involved in trafficking, which is as harmful to consumers as to the animals themselves. The Commission has been trying for several years to deal with this type of problem by introducing binding measures to restrict the movement of animals across the EU both for commercial purposes and as pets travelling with individuals.

The main Community instrument governing trade in dogs from third countries is Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 90/425/EEC(1).

Chapter III of this Directive establishes a parallel between the rules for intra-Community trade in animals and imports from third countries.

However, existing Community provisions on health policy and, more specifically, Directive 92/65/EEC, apply only to commercial transactions. In this instance the imports are clearly fraudulent and Community legislation on trade in animals therefore does not apply.

In an effort to solve the more specific problem of illegally importing dogs into the Community, the amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal health requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals (submitted by the Commission in accordance with Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty)(2) has been presented to Parliament and the Council.

Although the primary objective of this proposal is to regulate non-commercial movement of pets travelling with individuals, it is necessary to align the provisions applicable to commercial transactions with rules governing non-commercial movement in order to prevent fraud involving commercial trade being disguised as the non-commercial movement of pets.

This proposal was approved at first reading at Parliament's part-session of 2/3 May 2001 and is soon to be the subject of a common position.

(1) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992.

(2) OJ C 270 E, 25.9.2001.