WRITTEN QUESTION E-0968/00

by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Giuseppe Gargani (PPE-DE), Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE), Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Raffaele Fitto (PPE-DE), Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) and Jas Gawronski (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Subject: Dog fights

The illegal practice of holding dog fights for the purposes of betting is now widespread in many European countries. In Italy alone, the courts have estimated that more than 500 million euro is spent each year on betting and, according to the Anti-Vivisection League, more than 5 000 dogs die each year as a result of this practice.

In 1991 the United Kingdom adopted the Dangerous Dogs Act, which inspired similar legislation in France last year, seeking to eliminate dogs of the pit-bull breed in order to deter the holding of further dog fights.

However, the Anti-Vivisection League, which is committed to preventing and exposing this practice, has listed a further 40 different breeds of dog used in fights, including German Alsatians, Doberman, bulldogs and other popular breeds.

In fact, the United Kingdom law has not succeeded in eliminating the criminal organisations which organise the fights and other ways of dealing with this problem are clearly needed.

Nothing is being done at present to draw up European provisions to tackle the issue and put an end to this practice, although the section on health in the Commission's work programme for 2000 provides for a European Parliament and Council regulation to be submitted during the year to lay down health policy standards for the movement of pet animals, which could serve as an instrument for action in this sector.

Does the Commission intend to intervene in this area, taking due account of the need to condemn the practice of organising, betting on and watching fights between dogs or other animals, while seeking to avoid penalising specific breeds such as pit-bulls, since animals are the main victims of this criminal activity as they are encouraged by the use of violence to develop excessive and unnatural aggressive tendencies?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 May 2000)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view that unnecessary suffering of animals should be avoided.

The Commission's responsibilities towards animal protection have increased under the recent amendment of the EC Treaty, which requires the European institutions and Member States to consider animal welfare a priority when drawing up agriculture, transport, single market and research policies.

The Commission has therefore introduced general rules on the rearing of farm animals with a view to protecting their welfare, whilst more detailed conditions have been laid down on the rearing of calves, pigs and laying hens. Legislation has been also adopted on the conditions for the stunning and slaughter of animals.

Community rules also exist on the protection of animals during transport and on the use of animals for scientific research. Only these two last pieces of legislation are applicable to dogs.

Community legislation does not however, cover animal welfare where it relates to dog fighting. This issue is, therefore, the responsibility of the Member State concerned.

The draft proposal for a Parliament and Council regulation laying down animal health conditions for the movement of pet animals mentioned in the Commission's work programme for 2000(1) aims to harmonise the veterinary conditions concerning the movements of pet animals between Member States with no commercial purpose. This proposal is not designed to address the problem of dog fighting.

(1) COM(2000) 155 final.