A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union has sparked strong reactions by treating pets as “luggage” in air transport. This decision, handed down on 16 October 2025 at the request of a Spanish court, states that animals, although they serve an objective of general interest recognised by the Union, can be treated as material goods under the Montreal Convention, placing their loss under the same compensation scheme as that of a suitcase...
It is in this context that Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven (MR Group Leader in the Senate, Brussels MP and President of the animal protection society Veeweyde), and Benoît Cassart, MR/Renew Europe MEP, wanted to respond.
In regular contact on animal welfare issues, our two elected representatives wanted to express their incomprehension at this ruling, while welcoming the concrete progress driven by Belgium and now adopted at European level.
This ruling by the CJEU is a symbolic setback, but it must also serve as a wake-up call. While the CJEU reduces them to luggage, the European Parliament has just taken a completely different direction: that of a responsible Europe, inspired by the Belgian model.
This “different direction” is that of the mandatory traceability of dogs and cats, a text adopted by the European Parliament last June on the initiative of the Renew Europe group, of which the MR is a member.
Deeply involved in this issue, Benoît Cassart wanted this reform to be quickly explained to the general public, as he believes it marks a “concrete turning point for animal welfare”.
Inspired by Belgian experience, this legislation now makes animal identification a European duty. Every dog or cat will have to be registered in a database interconnected between Member States, which will help curb trafficking, identify those responsible for mistreatment, and ensure full traceability throughout the animal's life.
Benoît Cassart: “ Last June, we voted a text that extends to the whole of Europe what Belgium already applies: the mandatory traceability of dogs and cats. This is a major step forward, because as soon as an animal is identified, it has a responsible owner. This is the end of impunity and illegal trade. ”
Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven: “ Thanks to this traceability, every animal regains its dignity. Identifying an animal means recognising its worth and its sensitivity, and reminding us that behind every case of mistreatment there is a responsible person. I am particularly pleased about this, because in my role as President of the Veeweyde animal protection society, I see just how important traceability is”.
Beyond these European advances, Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven stresses the urgent need for an Animal Welfare Code in Brussels. Unlike Wallonia and Flanders, the Brussels Region does not yet have a unified and ambitious text devoted to this issue.
Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven : “ Brussels must take this step. Wallonia already has a comprehensive Animal Welfare Code. Our Region too must equip itself with a modern framework in step with the changing world. ”
Furthermore, the MR advocates an ethical yet pragmatic approach, mindful of the economic challenges linked to new standards. Benoît Cassart insists: “We must continue to pull other Member States along, reminding them that there is a way to ensure animal welfare that is both ethical and realistic”.