Possible Commission project on tracking the illegal pet trade on digital platforms

Question for written answer  E-002065/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Manuela Ripa (Verts/ALE)

Following the implementation of the ‘EU coordinated control plan on online sales of dogs and cats’ in 18 Member States, the Commission detected an overall lack of identification of animals and traders along with technical difficulties in controlling the online market.

A multitude of websites, legal difficulties for inspectors in accessing private houses, missing requirements to provide contact details in ads and a lack of information on where animals are kept, make it difficult to control the online pet trade.

Is the Commission planning to launch a project on monitoring the illegal pet trade on social media and other digital platforms, and if so, what form would it take? If not, how does the Commission intend to tackle the problem of a lack of monitoring of the online pet trade?