Our CEO, Dr Cyril Sullivan met with Eurogroup for Animals and Irish MEP’s yesterday, to hear about EU proposals on improving animal welfare. The three main initiatives for discussion were:
Welfare and traceability of dogs and cats
The main item for discussion was a proposal on new rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. This aims to establish, for the first time, uniform EU standards for the breeding, housing and handling of dogs and cats in breeding establishments and pet shops as well as shelters. The traceability of dogs and cats will also be reinforced through mandatory identification and registration in national databases to fight illegal trade and better control animal welfare conditions in the establishments.
Live animal transport
Looking at an overhaul the current EU rules for animals in transport, which will improve the wellbeing of the 1.6 billion animals transported to and from the EU each year. The new rules reflect the latest scientific evidence and insights as well as technological developments.
Image of live exports of cattle
Fur Free Europe
After almost 2 years of campaigning, in June 2019, the Irish government agreed to ban fur farming in Ireland. The ISPCA has campaigned, along with Veterinary Ireland, Respect for Animals and Fur Free Alliance for an end to fur farming on animal welfare and ethical grounds for a number of years. The bill was introduced in the Dáil by Solidarity TD, Deputy Ruth Coppinger. Read more about this campaign here: https://stg.ispca.ie/fur_farming_is_set_to_end_in_ireland
Image of animal mink which is often used in fur clothing
For a Fur Free Europe, the Commission is proposing further steps to address the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Fur Free Europe’, which calls for an EU ban on fur farming and on the sale of products containing such fur in the Single Market.
