EuroPetNet
EPN
EUROPETNET is an NGO founded in 2000 which gathers 47 databases in 26 countries among which 20 Member States of the European Union to work on identification and registration of cats, dogs and ferrets
ID: 935917191725-18
Lobbying Activity
Response to Supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on non-commercial movement of pet animals
8 Dec 2025
EUROPETNET welcomes the European Commissions initiative to supplement Regulation (EU) 2016/429 with detailed rules on the non-commercial movement of pets. EUROPETNET is an NGO founded in 2000, bringing together 47 databases across 26 countries (including 20 EU Member States) to support identification and registration systems for dogs, cats and ferrets. As the long-standing operator of the EUs only interoperable cross-border identification network for dogs and cats, EUROPETNET fully supports the objectives of secure identification, disease prevention and traceability. However, the draft Delegated Regulation relies exclusively on paper passports, despite the Animal Health Law allowing the use of modernised identification documents. Paper-only documentation creates operational challenges for competent authorities, including vulnerability to fraud, lack of verifiable authentication, inconsistent manual completion, and reduced traceability. These limitations hinder effective implementation of Union disease-control obligations. Electronic pet passports (ePassports) would strengthen compliance by enabling secure authentication, protecting data integrity, reducing administrative errors and allowing real-time verification at points of entry. Pilot projects operated by EUROPETNET members demonstrate that digital passports can fully support all mandatory elements required under Articles 11, 12, 18 and 20 without altering substantive health requirements. In addition, EUROPETNET considers it essential that each pet animal be issued a single passport valid for its lifetime, based on a unique passport number identical to the animals official identification number recorded in the national database. This would reinforce the traceability principles set out in Article 4(11) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and support effective verification under Articles 247, 249 and 254 during non-commercial movements. EUROPETNET therefore recommends that the Delegated Regulation explicitly authorise the use of secure, verifiable electronic identification documents alongside paper passports. Such targeted adjustments would remain fully within the European Commissions empowerment under Article 254 of the Animal Health Law and would not modify substantive health conditions. Allowing ePassports would modernise implementation, reduce administrative burden, increase cross-border verification capacity, and strengthen disease prevention throughout the Union. EUROPETNET stands ready to support the Commission and Member States in developing a harmonised EU framework for digital pet passports.
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