British pet passports will run out at the end of the year, making journeys with cats, dogs and ferrets to the EU more complicated. And for the first time, taking a pet to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will involve red tape and a rabies vaccination for the animal.
The European Commission has set out the new rules for taking pets abroad that will apply from 1 January 2020.
While animal owners from Northern Ireland will continue to have access to the EUs pet passport scheme, those in England, Wales and Scotland will need to obtain an animal health certificate in advance of every visit to the European Union and Northern Ireland, showing their pet has been vaccinated against rabies.
In addition, for entry into Northern Ireland and the Republic from Great Britain, as well as to Finland and Malta, pet dogs will have to be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis  an especially unpleasant tapeworm.
At present there are no restrictions in taking animals between any of the four UK nations. But after the Brexit transition phase ends, pet owners in Great Britain will need to get an animal health certificate issued by an official vet at least 10 days before travel, attesting to a rabies vaccination.
1/15Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Nigel Farage has spent his political career campaigning for the UK to leave the EU.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Boris Johnson’s support for Brexit took many by surprise before the EU referendum.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
The UK and EU are yet to agree on a withdrawal deal.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
This was taken from a 2012 speech delivered by Mr Davis. He does not currently support a second Brexit referendum.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Boris Johnson now supports a hard Brexit and resigned from the cabinet in 2018 over Theresa May’s strategy.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
The US recently issued trade negotiation objectives for future talks with the UK. The country made clear that it expects access to the UK’s agriculture industry, reviving the debate about chlorinated chicken.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Nigel Farage does not support the current campaign for a second Brexit referendum.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Despite this quote, in February 2019 Boris Johnson said a no deal Brexit “may yet be the best option for the UK”.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
The UK and EU are yet to begin negotiating a deal regarding their future relationship.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Theresa May announced that the UK would be leaving the Single Market in her Lancaster House speech in January 2017.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Theresa May triggered Article 50 on 29 March 2017. Her withdrawal deal is yet to be passed.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
A classic from the 2015 general election campaign. David Cameron resigned on 24 June 2016, following the EU referendum result.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
David Davis resigned from his post as Brexit secretary in July 2018 after disagreeing with Theresa May’s negotiation strategy.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Michael Gove was one of the most influential Leave voices during the EU referendum campaign.
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Brexit billboards: Campaigners remind MPs of past promises
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent backbencher, does not support a second Brexit referendum. He has called the use of this quote “fundamentally dishonest” as it was taken from a 2011 speech discussing the option of referendum before David Cameron entered negotiations with the EU. Such a vote was never held.
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Anyone from Great Britain planning a New Years Day visit to Belfast with their pet will need to apply for permission by 21 December.
The certificate remains valid for four months, but only for a single journey.
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TIME TO TRAVEL!
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TIME TO TRAVEL!
EU and Northern Ireland pet owners can continue to use their pet passports to visit Great Britain.
Bill and Dee Swan from Rye in East Sussex will face the new bureaucracy when taking their dog, Bertie, to visit their son, James, in Ireland whose job in the City of London has moved to Dublin because of Brexit.
Mr Swan said: This is presumably what sunlit uplands or tremendous opportunities mean.
Joe Moran, senior political adviser for the Eurogroup for Animals, said: Â “These new rules, whilst at first sight may seem worrying, should come as a great relief for pet owners and their furry companions alike.Â
“Yes, it will become a little more complicated to travel across the Irish Sea or the Channel than it is at present, but it could have been worse.Â
“Without these rules, owners would have needed to go through a far more costly and bureaucratic process, with multiple trips to their vet, and blood tests for their pet.Â
“As long as owners ensure their dogs, cats or ferrets see their veterinarian at least ten days before travel, the process will still be relatively easy.”
The Independent has asked Defra for a response.
The rules apply only to people taking their pets with them on short trips and holidays. More complex regulations apply to commercial movements of animals.
