Changes to the rules for Pet Travel due to come into effect on 29 December 2014
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Changes to the rules for Pet Travel due to
come into effect on 29 December 2014
This document is available at www.dardni.gov.ukNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 2
Preface
This document has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
(DARD) to advise pet owners and other stakeholders with an interest in pet travel of new
rules that take effect from 29 December 2014. It sets out the background to the EU Pet
Travel Scheme and outlines the requirements of the new EU Pet Travel Regulation that give
rise to these new rules.
This document can be found on the DARD website at www.dardni.gov.uk and is available in
hard copy from:
Animal Disease Control & Trade Policy Branch
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Room 714
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SB
e-mail: siobhan.kelly@dardni.gov.uk
It can also be made available in alternative formats including Braille, computer disk,
audio CD, large print, or other languages.New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 3
Background
1 The EU Pet Travel Scheme
1.1 The UK harmonised with the EU Pet travel scheme on 1 January 2012, making it
cheaper and easier for citizens from here to travel abroad with their pet dogs, cats
and ferrets. The EU Pet Travel Scheme places requirements on travelling pets in
order to keep Northern Ireland (NI) free of diseases, specifically rabies and the
Echinococcus multilocularis (EM) tapeworm.
1.2 A number of other EU countries harmonised with the EU rules at the same time as
the UK, creating a single set of pet travel requirements across the Member States. At
this point, the EU decided to review and consolidate the pet travel regime, which has
been amended several times since it came into effect in 2004. The UK was fully
involved in the negotiations for a new EU Pet Travel Regulation (576/2013)1 , which
was published in June 2013, and is due to come into effect on 29 December 2014.
This Regulation repeals and replaces the current EU Regulation (998/2003).
2 The new EU Pet Travel Regulation
2.1 The new Regulation will introduce a number of changes to current EU pet travel
rules. These are designed to strengthen enforcement regimes across the EU and
increase levels of compliance. There will be a new pet passport that is more secure
and easier to trace.
2.2 The requirements of the new Regulation are legally binding on Member States, with
limited scope to amend, extend or otherwise remove legal obligations. However, the
new Regulation makes available a number of derogations that provide Member
States with some flexibility in implementation.
2.3 Information on pet travel and views on the implementation of the new rules were
sought by Defra through a consultation exercise, which ended on 14 September
2014. Feedback from Defra indicates that four-fifths of respondents either agreed, or
neither agreed nor disagreed, that the changes to the pet travel scheme would bring
benefits. A copy of the Defra consultation report can be found on the Defra website2.
2.4 In NI, we intend to implement the new EU rules for pet travel in a similar manner to
that proposed by Defra for Great Britain. We will also amend the Non-Commercial
1
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0576&from=EN
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https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pet-travel-planned-changes-to-the-eu-schemeNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 4
Movement of Pet Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 in order to reflect the
changes arising from the new Regulation.
Movement of Pets under the Pet Travel Scheme
3 Conditions for Pet Travel
3.1 The fundamentals of the EU Pet Travel Scheme will remain the same following the
introduction of the new Regulation. Dogs, cats and ferrets that enter NI will continue
to require in the following order:
• to be microchipped
• to be vaccinated against rabies
• a blood test (if travelling to or from an unlisted third country)
• a pet passport (or third country certificate) issued by an authorised vet
• a waiting period after vaccination and prior to travel of:
o 21 days if travelling from another EU country or a listed third country
o 3 months (following a blood test) for unlisted countries
• treatment (for dogs) against the EM tapeworm.
3.2 Controls relating to the EM tapeworm are established under Commission Delegated
Regulation (EU) (No 1152/2011) and will remain unchanged.
3.3 Full details of the preparations required for travelling with pets or bringing them into
the UK can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners.
Specific guidance for NI is available at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/travelling-with-pets-
overview.htm. If you are planning to travel with your pet it is essential that you read
this detailed guidance.
4 Movement of pets between NI and the Republic of Ireland
4.1 In certain circumstances, there are exceptions to the list of preparations required for
pet travel. Under the existing EU legislation, pets moving between NI and the
Republic of Ireland must meet the conditions relating to microchipping, vaccination
against rabies (with the subsequent 21 day waiting period) and the pet passport.
4.2 The EM treatment requirement does not apply (nor is it needed if you are entering the
UK directly from Finland, Malta or Norway or travelling to any of these countriesNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 5
directly from the UK) but is necessary for dogs entering here from most other
Member States (as well as listed and unlisted countries3).
4.3 In recognition of the negligible risk of rabies, there are currently no systematic border
checks on pets moving between NI and the Republic of Ireland.
5 Commercial movement of pets
5.1 The EU Pet Travel Scheme covers the movement of pets with their owners. In the
sale or commercial movement of pets (or where more than 5 pets are travelling in a
consignment), as well as the preparations needed for pet travel, the requirements for
commercial trade laid down by the ‘Balai’ Directive (Directive 92/65/EEC4) must also
be met.
5.2 Commercial trade includes any transfer of ownership and therefore also relates to
dogs travelling for the purpose of re-homing.
Requirements of the new EU Pet Travel Regulation
6 Information on the new Regulation
6.1 The new Regulation aims to:
• Consolidate the EU legislation governing pet travel and enhance the
requirements for EU countries to make information on pet travel available to
their citizens.
• Tackle abuse of the pet travel regime by introducing a more secure pet
passport, tightening eligibility requirements and strengthening enforcement
activity.
6.2 The rules arising from the new Regulation are legally binding as they serve to
implement EU law, although there are some areas where the Regulation allows for
flexibility or derogation at the discretion of the Member State.
6.3 A full list of the changes, which take effect from 29 December 2014, is included in
Annex A.
3
http://www.dardni.gov.uk/travelling-with-pets-overview/eu_and_non-eu_listed_country.htm
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http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31992L0065&rid=5New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 6
7 New rules for pet travel
7.1 Introduction of a new pet passport (Article 21)
7.1.1 A new style pet passport will be introduced on 29 December 2014. All passports
issued from this date must conform to the new format. Passports issued before the
29 December 2014 will remain valid for the lifetime of the pet or until all
treatment spaces are filled.
7.1.2 A number of amendments have been made to the passport to improve security and
traceability:
• New laminated strips to cover those pages with the microchip information and
each rabies vaccination.
• A unique passport number that will be printed on each page.
• The vet who issues the passport will need to provide their full contact details,
which will improve the traceability of passports and provide a safeguard against
abuse. There is a new page in the passport for the vet to record these details.
• A new ‘valid from’ date will now need to be completed for all rabies vaccinations
(excluding booster vaccinations). This will enable the pet owner to see clearly
when the passport will be valid for travel and simplify the compliance checking
process.
• The new UK passport will have an increased number of EM treatment spaces,
increasing the longevity of the passport for pet owners who travel regularly with
their dogs.
7.1.3 If you are intending to travel with your pet, you will need to apply to DARD (contact
details in Annex B) for a pet passport. On the application form, you will identify an
Authorised Veterinary Inspector (AVI) - a private veterinarian who is authorised by
DARD to provide a pet passport service. A blank passport will then be issued by
DARD to the AVI who will complete the pet passport details, setting out the pet’s
microchip number - it is the microchip that allows the pet’s identity to be objectively
determined - and the animal health preparations that the pet has received.
7.2 A new 12 week minimum age for vaccination (Annex III of Regulation 576/2013)
7.2.1 At present, pets receiving a rabies vaccination must be vaccinated in line with the
manufacturer’s requirements in the country where vaccination takes place. This has
led to some variation in the age at which pets can be vaccinated. The new
Regulation addresses the difficulties posed by the current situation and lays down a
minimum age of 12 weeks for rabies vaccination (for the purposes of pet travel only).New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 7
7.2.2 As the 3 week waiting period restriction after vaccination and prior to travel will
continue to apply, pets will have to be at least 15 weeks old before they can travel
(between EU Member States).
7.2.3 This change has been introduced to create consistency across the EU, assist
compliance checking and restrict the movement of very young pets.
7.3 Maximum number of pet animals allowed to travel (Article 5 of Regulation
576/2013)
7.3.1 From 29 December 2014, anyone wishing to travel with more than five pets will have
to conform to the requirements of the EU trade regime established under the ‘Balai’
Directive (92/65/EEC), as well as to the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme.
7.3.2 An exemption from this requirement will be introduced for anyone whose pets are
aged over 6 months and are travelling to attend a show, competition or sporting
event (or training for such an event).
7.3.3. In order to avail of this exemption, the new Regulation requires that travellers provide
written evidence of their eligibility. For pets entering NI under this exemption, a
declaration must be completed which must then be made available to DARD
veterinary staff undertaking compliance checks on the pets. For further information
on the declaration, you should contact DARD (contact details in Annex B).
7.4 Tighter definition of ‘non-commercial movement’ (Commission Implementing
Regulation (EU) No 577/2013)
7.4.1 In order to prevent situations where animals imported for sale or re-homing are
presented as pets to avoid the more onerous commercial rules established under the
‘Balai’ Directive, all pets must be accompanied by their owner or by an authorised
person.
7.4.2 It is recognised, however, that when people travel by air it is not always possible for
them to directly accompany their pet, for example because the pet needs to travel in
the hold or on a different flight. The new Regulation clearly addresses this scenario.
As long as the movement of the pet and the owner (or authorised person) is within 5
days of each other, the pet will still be considered ‘accompanied’ by its owner (or
authorised person). This applies only to non-commercial pet movement directly into
NI from outside the EU.
7.4.3 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 sets out a declaration that
must be completed confirming that, where a pet is not travelling with its owner or
authorised person, the movement of the owner or authorised person will take place
within five days. For further information on the declaration, you should contact DARD
(contact details in Annex B).New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 8
7.5 Clearer definition of cat, dog and ferret (Annex I of Regulation 576/2013)
7.5.1 The new Regulation states specifically that the only species of pet animal that can
travel under the EU pet travel rules are:
• Canis lupus familiaris – domestic dog
• Felis silvestris catus – domestic cat
• Mustela putorius furo – ferret
7.5.2 The use of the Latin species name is to ensure that wild animals cannot be moved
under rules designed for pet travel. This may impact on owners with hybrid pets
(such as a Bengal or Savannah cat, or a Wolfdog). Owners who wish to travel with
these animals are advised to check the gov.uk website for further information prior to
travel: https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners or contact DARD
(contact details in Annex B).
7.6 Checks on intra-EU movements (Article 33 of Regulation 576/2013)
7.6.1 All EU countries will be required to undertake some compliance checks on pets
moving between Member States. Pet owners may therefore have their pets checked
for compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme when entering other countries, as well as
on their return to NI.
7.6.2 DARD operates a robust compliance checking regime for pets that enter here from
other countries (with the exception of Britain and the Republic of Ireland), and this will
continue to operate after 29 December 2014.
7.7 Implantation of microchips (Article 18 of Regulation 576/2013)
7.7.1 All dogs, cats and ferrets entering NI, or travelling from here to another Member
State, must be microchipped. This microchip number provides an objective link
between the animal and the pet passport, providing confirmation that the animal
described in the passport is the one presented for checking.
7.7.2 The new Regulation requires any Member State allowing non-veterinarians to implant
microchips to lay down the minimum standards to which that person must be trained.
7.7.3 In NI, we have existing domestic legislation5 for the mandatory microchipping of dogs.
This requires that a microchip must be implanted by a ‘competent person’, defined as
a veterinary surgeon or person who has received instruction on how to implant a
microchip. As the provision under Article 18 of the new Regulation extends to cats
5
The Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 9
and ferrets, anyone performing microchipping on cats or ferrets will also be required
to demonstrate an appropriate level of competency.
7.7.5 There is also domestic legislation in place, namely the Welfare of Animals Act
(Northern Ireland) 2011, to ensure that anyone found to be causing unnecessary pain
or suffering to a pet animal when performing microchipping may be prosecuted.
7.7.6 Further information on the training required for the implantation of microchips in pets
for the purposes of pet travel will be issued to stakeholders as a separate paper.
7.8 Veterinary record keeping (Article 22 of Regulation 576/2013)
7.8.1 In order to improve traceability and assist pet owners in the event that a passport is
lost or damaged, a new 3 year record-keeping requirement will be introduced from 29
December 2014. Many veterinary practices in NI already keep records for three years
or more. DARD also retains a record of all passports issued to Authorised Veterinary
Inspectors (AVIs) for a period exceeding 3 years.
7.8.2 The following information will therefore need to be retained for a period of at least
three years by all AVIs who are involved in completing pet passports:
• the pet passport number;
• the microchip number, location and date of reading/application;
• name, species, breed, sex, colour, date of birth and any notable or discernible
features or characteristics of the pet animal; and
• the owner’s name and contact information.
8 Derogations under the new Regulation
8.1 Derogation allowing the movement of unvaccinated pets (Article 8 of
Regulation 576/2013)
8.1.1 A new derogation (Article 8) has been introduced that relates to the direct movement
of unvaccinated pets between two rabies-free Member States, although the rules on
microchipping and pet passports still apply. To make use of this derogation, two
Member States must make a formal application to the EU Commission. Discussions
are underway between Defra (on behalf of the UK) and DAFM (in the Republic of
Ireland) regarding this derogation which, should agreement be reached, would allow
the direct movement of unvaccinated pets between the UK (and therefore NI) and the
Republic. The option also remains for DARD to seek the derogation with the Republic
of Ireland in the event it is not brought forward by Defra and DAFM.
8.1.2 The process of agreement and approval for this derogation may take some time. The
EU implementation deadline of 29 December 2014 for the new Regulation does notNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 10
apply to the derogation. Therefore, the requirement for rabies vaccination for pets
travelling between NI (or Britain) and the Republic of Ireland remains unchanged for
the present. DARD will issue updated guidance should this position change.
8.2 Derogation allowing direct entry into quarantine (Article 32 of Regulation
576/2013)
8.2.1 The new Regulation acknowledges that, in ‘exceptional circumstances’, situations
may arise where it may not be possible for pet owners to fully prepare their pet for
travel and includes an option for Member States to authorise the movement of these
pets directly into quarantine, where they must remain until they are compliant.
8.2.2 The Regulation also introduces a maximum quarantine period of 6 months for pets
that are found to be non-compliant, but permits Member States to determine the
length of this period. From 29 December 2014, we intend to allow pets to be
released after 4 months. This is consistent with the maximum period that currently
applies to other animals that require rabies quarantine and aligns with the approach
being taken in Britain.
8.2.3 This period is based on the evidence that any animal incubating rabies at the time
they enter quarantine is highly likely to develop clinical signs within the 4 month
isolation period, so there is negligible risk associated with animals that have been
quarantined for 4 months. The current preparation period for a pet entering from an
unlisted third country is 4 months, therefore a 4 month maximum quarantine period is
also in line with the most stringent pet travel requirements. Further information on
the evidence base used by Defra, and considered by DARD Veterinary Service to
inform our decision, can be found in the Defra consultation report, available on the
Defra website6.
8.2.4 Vaccination against rabies for any previously unvaccinated animals will still be
required upon entry to quarantine.
8.2.5 Anyone wishing to make use of this derogation will be required to apply to DARD for
a licence to move animals directly into quarantine (contact details in Annex B).
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https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pet-travel-planned-changes-to-the-eu-schemeNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 11
9 Changes to domestic legislation
9.1. In order to reflect the changes arising from the new Regulation, we will amend the
Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 2011. The
amending Order will be made under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act
1972.
9.2. The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 will be
updated to reflect new EU disability legislation concerning the rights of disabled
passengers when travelling by sea (EU Regulation 1177/2010).
9.3 The amending Pets Order will also make consequential amendments to The Rabies
(Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order (Northern Ireland) 1977 and
to The Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 12
Annex A: List of changes to pet travel rules
Relevant article in Regulation 576/2013 Details of changes introduced
Maximum number of pet animals allowed The current Regulation permits more than 5 pets to travel
to travel with one owner provided they are accompanied by a health
(Article 5) certificate. Under the new Regulation, the maximum number
of pets allowed to travel will be five. Where more than 5 pets
wish to travel from the 29 December 2014, they will need to
comply with EU trade rules set out in the ‘Balai’ Directive
(Directive 92/65/EEC) as well as the Pet Travel Scheme.
Pets travelling to attend a show, sporting event or training
for such an event will be exempt from this requirement and
will be able to continue to travel under the Pet Travel
Scheme provided they are aged over 6 months. Anyone
wishing to make use of this derogation will need to provide
written evidence of their attendance. A declaration will be
available on request from DARD in advance of travel and
must then be presented with the pet to DARD pet checking
staff on arrival in NI.
Derogation to allow movement of This derogation will allow two rabies free Member States (or
unvaccinated pets between rabies free parts thereof) to enter into a bilateral agreement, authorised
Member States by the EU Commission, to allow the direct movement of
(Article 8) unvaccinated pets between the two Member States.
Military and search-and-rescue dogs Under the new Regulation, Member States will be able to
(Article 10) authorise the movement of military and search-and-rescue
dogs into the country at a point of entry other than a
travellers’ point of entry provided that a permit has been
issued in advance and that the dogs undergo the necessary
compliance checks.
Implantation of microchips The new Regulation requires that any Member State
(Article 18) permitting non-veterinarians to implant microchips as part of
the preparation necessary for pet travel must lay down the
minimum standards of training that person must have
received. Legislation has already been introduced here for
the mandatory microchipping of dogs, and domestic animal
welfare legislation covers offences if microchipping is
carried out by a person not permitted to do so. As this
provision extends to cats and ferrets, anyone performing
microchipping on cats or ferrets will also be required to
demonstrate an appropriate level of competence. Further
information on the training required for implanting
microchips will issue by DARD as a separate paper.
Introduction of new pet passport Pet passports issued after 29 December 2014 will conform
(Article 21) to the new format laid down in Commission Implementing
Regulation 577/2013 and include a number of improved
security and traceability features.
Veterinary record keeping Authorised Veterinary Inspectors (AVIs) involved inNew Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 13
(Article 22) completing pet passports for issue to pet owners will be
required to keep a record of the information entered into the
passport for a period of at least three years.
Quarantine In exceptional circumstances, the new Regulation permits
(Article 32) the movement of non-compliant pets directly into
quarantine. This measure will enable pet owners who need
to leave a country quickly to arrange for their pets to travel
and enter quarantine upon arrival. The Regulation also
introduces a maximum quarantine period of 6 months for
pets that are found to be non-compliant but permits
Member States to determine the length of this period. A
maximum quarantine period of 4 months is being
introduced for the UK. Anyone wishing to make use of this
derogation will be required to apply to DARD for a licence
for direct entry into quarantine.
Checks on intra-EU movements All EU Member States will be required, from 29 December
(Article 33) 2014, to carry out some non-discriminatory compliance
checks on pet movements.
Checking of movements from third DARD as the competent authority will be required to keep a
countries record of the total number of checks carried out on
(Article 34) movements here from third countries and to clearly indicate
in the third country certificate that a check has been carried
out on this documentation.
Information provisions The new Regulation increases the requirements for
(Article 37) Member States to make information available to the public.
Each country will also need to provide information on
minimum qualifications for the implantation of microchips
and a list of approved rabies vaccinations.
Clearer definition of cat, dog and ferret The new Regulation explicitly includes the Latin species
(Annex I) names for domestic cats, dogs and ferrets and restricts the
Pet Travel Scheme to the movement of these animals. This
change has been introduced to ensure that wild animals
cannot be moved under the rules designed for pet travel.
This may have an impact on owners of hybrid pets.
Minimum age for vaccination (Annex III) All pets vaccinated for the purposes of pet travel from 29
December 2014 will need to be at least 12 weeks old at the
time of rabies vaccination. Confirmation will be required that
the date of first vaccination was at least 12 weeks after the
declared date of birth.
Tighter definition of ‘non-commercial Pets entering the EU from third countries by air will only be
movement’ (Commission Implementing considered accompanied (and therefore eligible to travel
Regulation 577/2013) under the Pet Travel Scheme) if their movement is not
separated from the movement of their owner or an
authorised person by more than 5 days. A declaration will
be required confirming that, where a pet is not travelling
with its owner/authorised person, the movement of the
owner/authorised person will take place within 5 days. If the
pet owner/authorised person does not travel within 5 days
of the pet’s movement, then ‘Balai’ trade rules will apply.New Rules for Pet Travel effective from 29 December 2014 14
Annex B: Contact Details
1. For clarification on:
• Information provided in this document
• The new EU Pet Travel Regulation
• Requirements for implantation of microchips for the purposes of pet travel
Please contact:
Animal Disease Control & Trade Policy Branch
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Room 714
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SB
Tel: 028 9052 4911
Email: siobhan.kelly@dardni.gov.uk
2. For information on:
• Pet passports and Authorised Veterinary Inspectors (AVIs) approved to complete
pet passports
• Animal health preparations required for pet travel
• Declarations for:
o More than 5 pets aged over 6 months attending a show or similar event
o A pet that is not travelling with its owner or authorised person but the
movement of the owner or authorised person will take place within five days
of the pet’s travel
• Application for direct entry of pet into quarantine
Please contact:
Trade Section (Veterinary Service)
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SB
Tel: 028 9052 4622
Email:tradeadminpost@dardni.gov.ukYou can also read
