Message 001
Communication from the Commission - TRIS/(2026) 1058
Directive (EU) 2015/1535
Notification: 2026/0187/EE
Notification of a draft text from a Member State
Notification – Notification – Notifzierung – Нотификация – Oznámení – Notifikation – Γνωστοποίηση – Notificación – Teavitamine – Ilmoitus – Obavijest – Bejelentés – Notifica – Pranešimas – Paziņojums – Notifika – Kennisgeving – Zawiadomienie – Notificação – Notificare – Oznámenie – Obvestilo – Anmälan – Fógra a thabhairt
Does not open the delays - N'ouvre pas de délai - Kein Fristbeginn - Не се предвижда период на прекъсване - Nezahajuje prodlení - Fristerne indledes ikke - Καμμία έναρξη προθεσμίας - No abre el plazo - Viivituste perioodi ei avata - Määräaika ei ala tästä - Ne otvara razdoblje kašnjenja - Nem nyitja meg a késéseket - Non fa decorrere la mora - Atidėjimai nepradedami - Atlikšanas laikposms nesākas - Ma jiftaħx il-perijodi ta’ dewmien - Geen termijnbegin - Nie otwiera opóźnień - Não inicia o prazo - Nu deschide perioadele de stagnare - Nezačína oneskorenia - Ne uvaja zamud - Inleder ingen frist - Ní osclaíonn sé na moilleanna
MSG: 20261058.EN
1. MSG 001 IND 2026 0187 EE EN 10-04-2026 EE NOTIF
2. Estonia
3A. Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium, aadress Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn
Ettevõtluskeskkonna valdkond,
karl.stern@mkm.ee
3B. Regionaal- ja Põllumajandusministeerium, aadress Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn
Toiduohutuse osakond
info@agri.ee
4. 2026/0187/EE - C90A - Well-being of animals and pets
5. Act amending the Animal Protection Act and the Veterinary Act
6. A ban on the production, sale and intermediation of content depicting zoophilia; an end to the practice of keeping dogs on chains. The proposal concerns the introduction of an operating licence for animal shelters and the establishment of requirements for the keeping of animals in such establishments.
7.
8. The ban on zoophilia is formulated more precisely and comprehensively. Keeping dogs permanently on a chain is prohibited, but keeping dogs temporarily on a chain is permitted. In the act, a total ban is planned to take effect from 1 January 2032 onwards.
With the aim of obtaining a more accurate overview of the establishments operating in Estonia that provide temporary accommodation for stray animals, and in order to ensure good conditions for the keeping of captured stray animals at such establishments, a licensing requirement is imposed on shelter operators and more specific requirements for shelters are laid down. As a result, every shelter operator, including those operating as non-profit organisations, must apply for an operating licence before commencing operations. Licensing requirements provide a clearer overview of establishments operating in this sector; this, in turn, will help to improve state supervision and assists both to those searching for a stray animal and to people wishing to adopt a pet from such an establishment. Furthermore, additional requirements regarding the keeping of animals in shelters – including both supplementary welfare standards and the obligation to provide the new owner with the animal’s health records upon handover – may encourage people to adopt a pet from a shelter.
9. The ban on zoophilia is currently indirectly prohibited in the list of unacceptable acts against animals, but society expects a more comprehensive ban. Keeping dogs in a chain is an outdated manner of keeping animals, and the desire to ban it also stems from the expectations of society to ban such keeping. Keeping a dog temporarily on a chain may be necessary, for example, in the event of the arrival of an emergency vehicle or mowing a lawn.
The need for more specific regulations on the temporary keeping of stray animals stems from increased public interest, as animal shelters mainly operate with the support of donors and are primarily engaged in the keeping of animals that are typically pet animals. To ensure animal welfare and prevent fraud, this sector requires heightened attention. The legislative intent analysed issues relating to the sale of pets and took into account that, in the course of an animal shelter’s operations, the transfer of ownership of animals generally takes place in return for payment. It is therefore necessary to establish appropriate requirements and rules; in order to ensure their more effective implementation, it is necessary to introduce an operating licence requirement. The sector representatives also consider it necessary to lay down uniform operational and animal welfare requirements for animal shelters, as this contributes to the reliability and transparency of their activities.
10. References to related legislation:
11. No
12.
13. No
14. No
15. Yes
16.
TBT aspects: No
SPS aspects: No
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European Commission
Contact point Directive (EU) 2015/1535
email: grow-dir2015-1535-central@ec.europa.eu
