eu & international law
Find out more about EU & International Law relevant for the protection of companion animals
The EU can only pass legislation in certain areas of competence, defined by the EU Treaties that also foresee what powers the EU institutions have
For instance, the EU has exclusive competence and can pass laws in areas such as competition rules for the single market and trade. In other matters, such as agriculture, consumer protection and the single market, Member States share the competence to legislate with the EU, provided there is no existing or foreseen relevant EU legislation. The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality are central to the competences of the EU, meaning that the EU focusses on areas and matters that can not be efficiently regulated on Member State level, and without regulation exceeding the level required to attain the goals set by its Treaties. The most relevant EU law in the field of companion animals includes:
- 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
- Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97
- Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 of 28 June 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for establishments keeping terrestrial animals and hatcheries, and the traceability of certain kept terrestrial animals and hatching eggs
Further, the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, being a treaty of the Council of Europe and thus not EU law, aims to reach a level of understanding among signing countries on the promotion of the welfare of pet animals and ensure minimum standards for their treatment. Signed in 1987 and effective as of 1992, the Convention has been ratified by 24 states. Many EU member states used the basic provisions for the treatment and care of companion animals as a base when drafting national legislation.