Posted : June 30, 2011
New pet travel rules from 2012 to bring UK in line with Europe
DEFRA has announced new rules on pet travel from January 1, 2012, which mean the regulations on rabies vaccination for entry into the UK will be in line with the rest of Europe.
DEFRA has announced new rules on pet travel from January 1, 2012, which mean the regulations on rabies vaccination for entry into the UK will be in line with the rest of Europe.
A risk assessment was carried out by DEFRA to check how the changes will affect the level of risk of rabies entering the UK. Although the probability will increase, the assessment found the risk to still be very low.
The BVA and BSAVA are informing their members of the changes so the right advice can be given to pet owners planning to travel abroad with their animals.
Dogs, cats and pet ferrets entering the UK from an EU or listed third country from January 1, 2012 must:
• be microchipped;
• be vaccinated against rabies;
• have waited 21 days after vaccination before entering; and
• have an EU Pet Passport.
The current requirement to carry out a blood test followed by a six-month wait before entry into the UK will no longer be required. From January 1 pets entering from a non-listed third country must pass a blood test 30 days after vaccination followed by a three-month wait.
The UK and Ireland have had derogations from EU pet travel rules to allow for additional controls to protect against rabies, ticks and tapeworms. Vaccination programmes in wildlife in mainland Europe have now allowed the UK to consider whether additional rabies controls are still necessary.
The BVA and BSAVA continue to lobby in Europe for additional controls to be maintained for tapeworms, which could introduce Echinococcus multilocularis to the UK – a significant public health concern. A decision is awaited, but the European Commission has indicated it will support the UK case.
Harvey Locke, president of the BVA, said: “It is essential that pet owners get good veterinary advice when planning to take their animals abroad because pets can be exposed to a number of diseases not currently endemic in the UK, for example leishmaniasis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis."
Andrew Ash, president of the BSAVA, added: “The Pet Travel Scheme has been highly successful in keeping the UK free of rabies. BVA and BSAVA have been working closely with DEFRA to ensure that any changes to the pet travel rules do not threaten our disease-free status. The rabies vaccine has advanced and now has a longer duration of immunity and we welcome the continuing requirement for all pets to be vaccinated before travel.”
More information is available on the DEFRA website, including a leaflet for pet owners.
A question and answer article for vets is available on the AHVLA website.
The BVA AWF leaflet Taking Your Pet Abroad will be updated to explain the changes. The current edition can be viewed here.
Last comments :
Date : 06/07/2011 from Visitor
since the incubation period of rabies is debatably long and in spite of the fact that there has so far not been a documented case outbreak in the UK, i fail to see how there should be a relaxation of the regulations.
in fact i am of the opinion that there should be a total quarantine of a year before any predatory livestock should be allowed into this country.
the danger from other diseases transmissible to animals and man likely to be imported under the guise of a pet passport is a further cause for concern and i fear that in the future we will live to regret these silly relaxations of the law.
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