COM/2023/769 Proposal for Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

Overview

The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) is a standing committee of the NI Assembly established under the Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The DSC’s purpose is to assist with the observation and implementation of Article 13(3a) and (4) of the Windsor Framework. The Committee’s functions include:

• examining and considering new EU acts and replacement EU acts;
• conducting inquiries and publishing reports in relation to replacement EU acts;
• engaging with businesses, civil society and others in relation to replacement EU acts;
• engaging with the UK Government in relation to replacement EU acts;
• engaging with Ministers of Northern Ireland departments and the NI Executive in relation to replacement EU acts;
• dealing with other matters (including legislative proposals which may become new EU acts or replacement EU acts) which the Committee considers to be connected with its purpose or other functions.

Read more about the Committee here.

Why your views matter

The Committee is gathering evidence on a proposed new EU act: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.

The EU has indicated that it considers the proposed act to be within the scope of the Windsor Framework, and therefore may seek to add it, via the process set out in Article 13(4) of the Windsor Framework, to the list of EU laws applicable in Northern Ireland.

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on this proposed EU act. The DSC previously consulted stakeholders on the proposal, and is now seeking views on the provisionally agreed text.

Specifically, the DSC is seeking your views on whether applying/not applying the proposed act would have a significant negative impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.

All relevant documents can be found here. The provisionally agreed text can be found here.

The Committee wants to hear the views of representatives of business and civil society affected by the proposed new EU act, or who would be affected if it were to apply in Northern Ireland.

It is open to any organisation or individual to respond.

The Northern Ireland Assembly uses Citizen Space in its calls for evidence. However, if you are unable to access Citizen Space or need to provide your response in an alternative format, please contact the committee office at: windsorframework.committee@niassembly.gov.uk.