The European Parliament adopted by 592 votes to 7, with 4 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the non-commercial movement of pet animals.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amend the proposal as follows:
Maximum number of pet animals: the amended text sets the maximum number of pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) which may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single non-commercial movement shall not exceed five.
A derogation is possible if the owner or the authorised person submits written evidence that the pet animals are registered either to attend an event such as competitions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training or if the pet animals are more than six months old. Member States may undertake standard spot checks to verify that the information is correct.
In order to prevent commercial movement of pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I (invertebrates, ornamental aquatic animals, amphibia, reptiles, birds, rodents and rabbits) from being fraudulently disguised as non-commercial movement, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts laying down rules setting the maximum number of pet animals of those species that may accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single non-commercial movement.
Derogation from the anti-rabies vaccination condition for young pet animals: Member States may authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory from another Member State of pet animals which are: (a) either less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or (b) between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but do not yet meet the validity requirements.
The authorisation may be granted only if: (a) either the owner or the authorised person provides a signed declaration that from birth until the time of the non-commercial movement the pet animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies; or (b) the pet animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and from the identification document accompanying their mother it can be established that, before their birth, the mother received an anti-rabies vaccination.
The Commission may, by means of an implementing act, adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the abovementioned declarations. Under the same rules, it shall adopt a list of Member States that are authorised to conclude mutual agreements to derogate from the anti-rabies vaccination obligation for pet animals. In order to be included in the list, the Member States interested in such a mutual agreement shall submit a joint application to the Commission.
Identification document: the identification document shall be in the format of a passport in accordance with the model to be adopted by the Commission by means of an implementing act. It shall contain entries for the insertion of the following information: (a) the location of the transponder or the tattoo and either the date of application or the date of reading of the transponder or the tattoo, as well as the alphanumeric code displayed by the transponder or the tattoo; (b) the name, species, breed, sex, colour, date of birth as stated by the owner and any notable or discernable features or characteristics of the pet animal; (c) the name and contact information of the owner; (d) the name, contact information and signature of the authorised veterinarian issuing or completing the identification document.
Information obligations: Member States shall provide the public with clear and easily accessible information concerning the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals and the rules for compliance checks on such movement laid down in this Regulation. Member States shall establish internet-based pages providing the information and communicate the internet address of those pages to the Commission.