Submission for an European wide standardised micro chip based identification

February 20, 2019

Please note a submission I presented to the FCI European Section Committee of which I am a member. They have agreed to send it to all European Kennel Clubs to encourage and assist them in lobbying local MEP’s to influence decisions within the EU.
Thanks to Jim Stephens for his invaluable assistance.

Sean Delmar

President.

The FCI European Section considers that introduction of Micro chipping standardisation across Europe is a first and vital step in many issues that face dogs interaction and impact on the entire EU Community.

A European wide standardised micro chip based identification system would have a positive benefit for individuals, animals and sections of society. The European population is aging and the numbers of vulnerable people increasing. The role of dogs as companion animals and their roles as assistance dogs have long been recognised as a positive contribution to wider society by the European Union. The impact of a standardised microchipping system would help further health and welfare initiatives as well as combating consumer fraud and illegal smuggling by criminal gangs.

Jim Stephens MSc. PGCE BA Hons., Behaviour Consultant & Chair IKC Health and Welfare Committee

Listed below are a number of areas that would be positively affected by this being implemented.

Impact on Public Health and safety

A positive link to Identification though Micro chipping with health records and vaccination status of the individual animal would help safeguard the public against various contagious zoonoses such as Rabies.

• List of immunised dogs could be produced quickly and at low cost
• Non-immunised dogs can be quickly identified for local or national quarantine.

Consumer Protection

1. ID chip can contain country identifier which will help identify those dogs brought into the country from another country either legally / illegally
2. Help prevent the multi million euro illegal puppy trade with its associated health and welfare issues for the dog and the fraud perpetrated on the buyers of such dogs
3. Help identify breeders and possible exposure of commercial enterprises both legal and illegal thereby increasing the welfare of the individual animals and the rights of the consumer.

Access rights for people with Disabilities and Elderly

Linked to national or international database an ID chip can identify legitimate Assistance dogs from “rogue” dogs and handlers.

• Thereby allowing those with disabilities to access environments and services from which dogs are normally excluded: public buildings, transport of all types including trains and flights.
• Microchip ID can be linked through RFID technology to give transmission in real time of the health status of the animal and its mobility : vets, owners or charity can be messaged with details of changes in biochemistry, temperature, blood and respiratory rates of the individual dog
• This would lead to increased welfare benefits of the individual dog as well as a cost saving for both the individual owner and charity in terms of a reduction in veterinary fees because of early intervention and a saving in service interruption or replacement.
• Individual owner/ person at risk e.g. elderly, disabled, epileptic etc. can be monitored via their dog’s mobility or lack thereof, which in turn could flag a monitoring system (hospital, doctor, charity etc.) to follow up by contacting the person.

Access Control

Chip could be used to allow or deny access to areas from which the dog is taken e.g. Public Park unless a precondition is met such as a licence fee paid or a level of training / socialabilty has been attained.

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