EU Reaches Landmark Deal on New Protections for Cats and Dogs. EU lawmakers strike a provisional deal on bloc-wide rules governing the treatment, housing and traceability of cats and dogs. The agreement aims to combat illegal pet trading by introducing uniform welfare standards and improved tracking systems. Proposed by the European Commission in 2023, the rules won support from both the European Parliament and the Council after intensive negotiations. The breakthrough contrasts sharply with stalled efforts to update animal-transport laws, currently bogged down by thousands of amendments and policy disagreements. Denmark’s agriculture minister hails the accord as “the first of its kind” and a major step for European animal welfare. Lead negotiator Veronika Vrecionová says the rules will make it harder for abusive or illegal operators to hide behind loopholes. Greens MEP Tilly Metz celebrates the deal as a turning point against the rise of illegal pet trade across Europe. Despite political wrangling over last-minute changes and legal questions on compulsory microchipping, activists say the agreement marks “the beginning of the end” of illegal pet trafficking.