Interpellation concerning the Pet Register (No. 594)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-03-18 18:08
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item focused on the interpellation concerning the establishment of a pet register, aimed at creating a nationwide registry for dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. The interpellation was submitted by members of the Riigikogu on January 18th, with Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart as the presenter. The objective is to improve animal welfare, ensure the swift return of lost animals to their owners, and better organize the work of shelters and urban planning, thereby reducing the burden and bureaucracy placed upon local municipalities by maintaining separate registers. The interpellation stressed that this issue has been subject to discussions and proceedings for years, and that a nationwide pet register should also encompass the necessity of coordinating feedback from stakeholders and local governments.
The second paragraph outlined the main topics of discussion: the primary obstacles to establishing the register, the schedule for the draft bill reaching the Riigikogu, and methods for engaging and integrating feedback from interest groups, shelters, and local municipalities. Financial and funding matters were also addressed, highlighting the necessity of taking into account regulatory drafts from the European Union. It was further emphasized that while negotiations and engagement might extend the process, the ultimate goal remains a unified register and robust cooperation among the state, local municipalities, and stakeholders.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions have been made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, a Member of the Riigikogu; position: other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar opens the agenda and announces that the first item on the agenda is an interpellation concerning the pet register, which was submitted by Riigikogu members Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Jevgrafov, Belobrovtsev, Tšaplõgin, Korobeinik, and Laats. He then asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to serve as the rapporteur.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The goal of establishing a nationwide pet register is to expedite the return of lost animals to their owners, improve the operations of shelters and the urban environment, and cut down on bureaucracy. Consequently, procedural questions were submitted to the minister concerning feedback from stakeholders and local governments, and the schedule for the bill reaching the Riigikogu (Parliament), all with the aim of initiating a broader discussion on animal welfare.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked [the house] and called Regional Minister Madis Kallas to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that establishing the pet register necessitates several steps: involving all stakeholders, clarifying the roles and costs for local governments, and securing financing. This process must take into account the requirements of the European Commission regulation and the development of similar initiatives. The Minister added that the draft legislation is planned to enter into force by 2026, with its submission to the Riigikogu scheduled for the autumn of 2025. Concurrently, animal welfare organizations, shelters, and local governments will be engaged to provide feedback.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the Regional Minister and called upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to ask questions.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasized that it is crucial to establish a single, unified animal register and prevent local municipalities from maintaining separate databases. The state will cover the additional workload, but the main goal is progressing toward that unified register to ensure continued cooperation.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs Madis Kallas emphasized cooperation with local governments in taking responsibility for pets and providing shelter services, highlighting the need to accurately map out the problems and achieve greater engagement, so that the creation of a unified register does not result in additional expenses or unfunded obligations for local governments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and turns to Aleksei Yevgrafov with a request.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov asked the minister what, in the opinion of interest groups, the planned animal register should include—only cats and dogs, or all animals.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Based on feedback, Estonia needs a unified pet register because the understanding among interest groups and the level of cooperation between local governments vary, and state support is required to ensure that animals find their owners faster and local costs are reduced. The register currently includes dogs, cats, and ferrets (approximately 156,000 dogs, 100,000 cats, and 600 ferrets). However, there are an estimated total of 290,000 cats and 230,000 dogs in Estonia, meaning many animals are not accounted for in the register.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the minister, asked if there were any questions or procedural inquiries, and, seeing no further questions, opened the floor for debate, noting the absence of requests to speak, then closed the debate and concluded the consideration of the first agenda item.