Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2023
323. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what are the standard regulations relating to quarantine for pets brought into Ireland; the basis on which they were returned to normal having been eased previously; if the matter is being kept under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3813/23]
View answerAll animals entering Ireland are subject to EU sanitary requirements. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of importation and spread of disease. The requirements for animals generally to enter Ireland are outlined in the EU Animal Health Law, Regulation (EU) 429/2016. This relates to both intra-community trade and imports into the Union. The specific requirements for a pet (dog, cat ferret) to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Any animal which does not meet the health requirements set out in these regulation are quarantined or returned to the country of origin.
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 were therefore put in place last year for refugees from Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees were allowed to enter Ireland with their accompanying pets under specific conditions. Where these pets were not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services took steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures included, as determined to be necessary in each case, microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination.
On 21st November 2022, these temporary arrangements for Ukrainian pets ended, Pets from Ukraine travelling to Ireland are subject to the same conditions as any pet entering from any country outside the EU. All pets entering Ireland must be fully compliant with legal requirements for entry into the EU .
Any animal or product of animal origin entering Ireland from outside the EU requires health certification and undergoes checks at the Border Control Post (BCP) upon entry. Their health status and health documentation are checked. Whilst all pets entering from third countries are checked, pets entering from the EU undergo spot checks.
If a pet is non-compliant, then the pet will be placed in official isolation until the pet is compliant with entry requirements.
