Pet owners are being
encouraged to check the latest government advice
about travelling from Great
Britain to the European Union with their pets at the end of the EU exit transition
period.
During the transition period, pet owners have been able to
continue to travel with their pets using a Pet Passport. The UK
government is working with the European Commission to ensure a
similar arrangement for pet travel between Great Britain and the
EU from 1 January 2021.
However, if an agreement is not reached there could be new
requirements in place for those travelling with a pet from Great
Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021.
If pet owners are planning to travel from January 2021 onwards
then they should contact their vet at least four months in
advance of their travel date to discuss the latest requirements,
including the documentation and vaccinations needed. For example,
those wishing to travel with their pet from Great Britain to the
EU on 1 January 2021 should discuss the relevant documentation
their vet by 1 September at the latest.
Christine Middlemiss, UK Chief
Veterinary Officer, said:
“Those pet owners who wish to be certain of being
able to take their pets abroad from 1 January 2021 onwards should
consult their vet at least four months before travelling. Your
vet will be able to advise what you need to do in order to obtain
the correct documentation to travel.
“We continue to be in contact with vets to highlight this issue
and they are expecting pet owners to consult with them and plan
ahead. Pet owners can also stay up to date with the latest advice
on gov.uk or by searching ‘pet travel’.”
Updated guidance on pet travel has been
available since November 2018, so many pet owners will already be
familiar with that they need to do and some may have already
taken action. There will be no change to the current health
preparations for pets entering Great Britain from the EU from 1
January 2021.
The latest advice for pet owners seeking to
travel to the EU after 1 January 2021 can be found here.
Notes to editors
- The UK government has submitted an application to the
European Commission to become a Part 1 listed country under the
Pet Travel Scheme which would allow pets to travel following very
similar documentary and health preparations as those that
currently apply.
- The EU Commission is currently considering the UK’s
application for listed status. Further information on the
possible outcomes of our application are available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit
