Animal Health

28 Jul 2021 08:44 AM

From 1^st January 2021 you can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales & Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland, you can however still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, an animal eligible for the pet travel scheme needs:

• a microchip
• a valid rabies vaccination
• an animal health certificate issued in GB or a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland
• tapeworm treatment for dogs if travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta

Requirements on vaccine and microchipping remain the same (minimum of 12 weeks of age for the Rabies vaccination plus a further 21 days before travel can commence)

• Where the animal does not have a Pet Passport issued in an EU country or NI, the pet (Dog, Cat or Ferret) must be taken to an OV (at a veterinary practice) to get an animal health certificate no more than 10 days before travel.
• Proof will be required of the animals microchipping date, vaccination history
• The Animal Health Certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:
  • 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
  • 4 months for onward travel within the EU
  • 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain
• An animal will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Steph Young, CTSI Lead Officer for Animal Health and Agriculture offers advice on the rules relating to importation of cats, dogs and mammals in accordance with the pet travel scheme and the powers available to them where non-compliance with the rules is identified.

To watch the recording and learn more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QETwuipUls