on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/65/EEC as regards the animal health requirements governing intra-Union trade in and imports into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets

(COM(2012)0090 – C7‑0061/2012 – 2012/0040(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2012)0090),

–   having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7-0061/2012),

–   having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–   having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 May 2012

OJ C 229 of 31.7.2012, p. 119.

–   having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A7-0366/2012),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out, taking over the Commission proposal;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

The rapporteur can identify three categories of proposed amendments which are mainly of a technical nature.

Firstly, the references to the regulation to be repealed (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003) will be replaced by references to the new regulation, which is being worked on alongside this proposal.

Secondly, and in contrast to the present text, Article 10 includes a proposal to refer to Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and to amend Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97

OJ L 3 of 5.1.2005, p. 1.

The third and, in terms of content, only relevant proposed amendment concerns the period within which, before they are moved, animals must undergo a clinical examination, to be conducted by one of the veterinary surgeons authorised by the competent authority in order to confírm that the animals are fit to undertake the planned journey. It is proposed that the current period of 24 hours be brought into line with the recommendation of the World Organisation for Animal Health, which is 48 hours.

The rapporteur is in agreement with the proposed amendments, for practical reasons and as a result of indications received from the sector.