Proposal for a Regulation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals

Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 was brought into line with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009. It was later substantially amended by Regulation (EU) No 438/2010, in particular to extend the transitional regime provided for in Articles 6, 8 and 16 until 31 December 2011.

It was also partially brought into line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). However, in a statement annexed to Regulation (EU) No 438/2010, the Commission undertook to propose a revision of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 in its entirety, and, in particular, the aspects of delegated and implementing acts.

Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 also provides that as of 3 July 2011, i.e. the end of the eight-year transitional period provided for in Article 4(1), electronic identification is the only means of identifying a pet dog, cat or ferret. However, an animal bearing a clearly readable tattoo applied before that date continues to be considered identified in accordance with the Regulation.

Because of the expiry of the aforementioned transitional period, and the need to make a number of amendments bringing the animal health requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 into line with the TFEU in a sufficiently clear and accessible manner for the ordinary citizen, that Regulation should be repealed and replaced by this proposal.