Vol. 511 No. 5
59 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 30 September 1998, the progress made on the introduction of a passport for pets system in view of the changes made in the United Kingdom; when the changes will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24774/99]
As referred to in my response to the Deputy's Question No. 301 of 30 September 1998, the advisory group on quarantine established by the UK Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recommended that the quarantine system in place should be replaced by a system involving vaccination, blood-testing and microchip identification requirements for dogs and cats travelling between Great Britain and the member states of the European Union, the European economic area or rabies-free islands.
In the light of the group's report and prospective developments in the UK, I initiated a review of Ireland's quarantine system, as changes contemplated in the UK system of quarantine controls would clearly hold potential for Ireland, given the common approach to rabies controls which both countries have followed over many years. I furthermore advised the Government that changes were likely in the UK which would have implications for Ireland and that I would in due course make recommendations to the Government on the approach Ireland should follow. The UK authorities subsequently publicly confirmed their intention to introduce a new control regime, along the lines recommended by the report, with effect from early 2001. They have also indicated their intention to run a pilot scheme in early 2000 which would provide experience of the practical workings of the new regime on a limited scale.
In order to accommodate the proposed pilot scheme in the UK within the common approach which has hitherto operated between Ireland and the UK, I will shortly make proposals to the Government.
