Dr. Eoin Ryan:

As regards timelines, it is open to any member state to have standards higher than are required in this. That is one of the articles in it. The only thing that is set out is that one cannot impede other member states from selling dogs or cats if they match these standards but do not match one's higher national standards. It is possible for any member state to have standards above this regulation once they do not impede the internal market. On the timelines, I emphasise again that this is what is in the proposal. I understand that often it is the timelines that can change as part of the legislative process. My understanding is that the Commission and the Presidency are attempting to balance the interest in moving quickly on this and raising welfare standards for dogs and cats against the need to allow stakeholders a bit of time to adapt to it. The timelines are not determined or fixed; that is just what is in the proposal. I guess that will be discussed at the trilogues-----