NEW FLEMISH BREEDING DECREE

Written by Guido Van Laethem

Vice-president of Felis Belgica.

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PEDIGREE SECRETARIAT

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January 1, 2025

Felis Belgica, our cat association, collaborated intensively in the committee of Breeding Healthy Pets. Subsequently we had to define breeding programs for the different breeds. In the framework of the Flemish “Fokkerijbesluit”. These breeding programs are published on our website and are bound to be accepted in the coming days by the Flemish Animal Welfare Department.

In the Walloon and Brussels regions a similar decree is being discussed and is expected to follow in 2026. During the presidency of Belgium in the EU the decree was also proposed to the EC. Soon there also discussions will start.

FBe is only allowed to issue Pedigrees for catteries located in Flemish Region if they follow these breeding programs. Except for the Flemish breeding programs the Flemish catteries also have to do parenting tests based on DNA SNP Profiles of the parents for newborn kittens. They also have to ensure that kitten have a COI not higher than 12.5% nor a COI that is 1% above the average COI of the parents. This to enhance diversity. The mandatory and recommended tests can be found on our home page under the specific breed.

Without a parentage test or without the mandatory tests for hereditary disorders or an inbreeding coefficient above the threshold values, FBe may only issue a certificate of descendance for kitten born in Flanders.

Of course, the FIFe rules on disorders also remain in force.