Brussels/EU – Dogs and cats in the EU must in future be identifiable by microchips. In Brussels, the EU states gave the final green light for the new rules, which are intended to curb the illegal trade in animals and improve their protection, it was said on Friday. There will then be transition periods lasting several years for the chip requirement. For dogs it comes into effect ten years after it comes into force and for cats after 15 years – in each case if they are kept privately. Farm cats are excluded from this. For retailers, however, the new rules apply after just four years.
