EU feasibility study on a positive list for pet animals

In its latest newsletter, the Federal Association for the Professional Protection of Nature, Animals and Species (BNA) reported that the EU Commission has decided to step up its fight against the illegal trade in wild animals and plants. As part of this effort, the Commission has commissioned a feasibility study on the possible introduction of a positive list for pet animals. This information was published in the latest newsletter of the Federal Association for the Professional Protection of Nature, Animals and Species (BNA). The contractor, RPA Europe, conducted 63 interviews and an online survey last year, including with the BNA. “We also drew attention to the online survey, which ultimately received responses from only 779 individuals, institutions and organisations across Europe.”

On 10 June, RPA Europe presented the interim results at an online event. “Unfortunately, it must be noted that the presentation of the results was extremely subjective and one-sided, as the arguments against a positive list were either not taken into account at all or only to a very limited extent, ” the BNA continues. Legal hurdles, such as those identified in Prof. Spranger's ZZF report, played only a minor role.

“Instead, alleged advantages of a positive list, some of which are unproven, were cited due to the lack of a legal framework for animal welfare, invasive alien species, species protection and zoonoses, even though European and/or national regulations exist for precisely these areas of law, ” the BNA continued. “The results of the Exopet study from Germany, which we submitted and which argues against a positive list, were also not mentioned.”

During the event, owner organisations submitted so many comments in the chat and discussion that RPA Europe and the European Commission could not ignore the criticism, promising to take these comments and any further arguments submitted into account more fully during the study.

On 18 June, the BNA sent a statement to the EU Commission and RPA Europe. The statement listed further evidence against the introduction of a positive list and suggested alternative solutions to better regulate dangerous animals or strengthen the enforcement of existing regulations.