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Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.

Thank you for your message and for sharing your views. We are always interested in knowing what the public thinks. We have made your message available to the relevant departments of the European Commission for their information. As a general information service, we cannot comment on opinions.

However, we kindly inform you that article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union recognises animals as sentient beings and requires paying full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing certain EU policies. However, it does not give a legal basis for addressing all animal welfare issues. The article also states that the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of EU countries relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage should be respected.

For example, EU law (Council Regulation 1099/2009) on the protection of animals at the time of killing only concerns animals in slaughterhouses as well as those kept for farming purposes. Animals killed under other circumstances (e.g. hunting, bullfighting, stray dogs or cats in shelters etc.) are not covered by this regulation. These areas fall under national legislation and EU competences are therefore either limited or excluded. For such issues you are advised to contact the competent national authorities. More information on EU animal welfare policy objectives is available here: https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals_en
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If, at any time, you have any questions about the European Union, its activities or its institutions, we will be happy to assist you.

Jul 28, 2023, 3:27 AM

Dear sender,

Thank you for your message. We duly take note of your concerns regarding killing dogs and cats for their meat in the Republic of Korea.

Animal welfare is a high priority for the European Commission. It is also an issue that many EU citizens feel very strongly about.

“For animals, people and planet” encompasses the guiding principle behind our work on the Farm to Fork Strategy and on revising the EU’s animal welfare legislation. The European Commission is working very hard on a legislation that has the interests of animals, people, and planet at heart.

European External Action Service
ASIAPAC.5 Asia and Pacific