Speaking at the Environment committee, following a request by MP Inês Sousa Real, from the PAN party, the head of the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) explained that the change is due to the fact that community regulations have direct application in the member States, unlike directives, which have to be transposed.

Pet trafficking

When talking about the issue of sending pets to Europe, Susana Pombo admitted that there is evidence of the trafficking of pets.

From 2018 until May 4, she said, more than 21,000 pets, mainly dogs, were exported, with Germany being the main destination.

PAN's request to hear Susana Pombo was related to a TVI report released in January about the sending of animals to various European countries, with an "adoption fee" of between 300 and 500 euros being paid for each animal, which supposedly would serve to pay expenses inherent to the transport of the animal.

The report denounced alleged irregularities in the process, which is why the PAN party requested a hearing, in order to clarify doubts and gaps identified on the matter.