FIONA SUPPORTS COMMON PET WELFARE STANDARDS IN EUROPE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Jun 2010

North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall is calling on the European Commission to take further steps to protect pets across Europe, by ensuring that competent veterinary care is available for pets and that existing legislation is enforced properly in all Member States.

Commenting after signing a European Parliament Written Declaration on the welfare of pets, Fiona said:

"Pets across Europe should be protected from cruel owners and should enjoy the same standard of welfare. But at the moment, many EU countries are failing to enforce even the most basic laws and standards of care, as holidaymakers abroad are sometimes distressed to realise.

"In the UK, people have fought very hard for strict animal welfare laws and it would be great if a similar high standard of pet welfare were implemented across the EU.

"However, EU Members States are ultimately responsible for pet welfare in their countries. All that can be done at an EU level is to highlight the issue and put public pressure on Members States to share best practices, control the spread of disease and offer advice on how best to care for animals. I strongly support a cross-country exchange on how to further pet welfare standards across Europe and I hope the EU Commission and EU Member States will take up this issue."

If the Written Declaration is signed by more than half of the total number of MEPs, the issue will be raised with the EU Commission and EU governments.