Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
932. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to introduce a blanket quarantine period for all dogs coming from Ukraine and eastern Europe in general, given that war refugees still continue to come here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32510/22]
View answerRecognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations.
In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 756/2013.
Temporary exceptional humanitarian arrangements have therefore been put in place for refugees from Ukraine. They are allowed to enter Ireland with their accompanying pets under specific conditions. This includes pre-notification by email the point of entry they will be arriving to in advance and animals must be presented to Department staff at the point of entry for examination.
Where these pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures include, as determined to be necessary in each case, microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination.
All non-compliant pets must then be home isolated for a minimum of four months after vaccination, and undergo a blood test, paid for by the Department. Instructions are given to owners in both English and Ukrainian. These exceptional response measures are being kept under review and arrangements for official isolation are available when deemed necessary.
Currently most Ukrainian pets are being subject to home isolation. The Department has been keeping the situation under review. At the current time it is considered appropriate, from a risk management perspective, that a small number of what would be considered as higher-risk dogs would be subject to a period of isolation in kennels.
Decisions on isolation of pets will be based on risk and the number of pets to be placed in isolation will depend on the number of pets entering Ireland. The length of stay in the kennels will be dependent on the animals status on arrival.
It should be noted that the number of pets entering Ireland from the Ukraine has reduced significantly in recent times.
It is important to note that these exceptional measures only apply to accompanied pets from Ukraine.
All other movements of animals (including unaccompanied pet animals, commercial, unknown origin, stray animals, animals from shelters) that do not meet regular requirements for entry, cannot be accepted into Ireland without full compliance with legislatively prescribed health certification.
