I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
For many decades past there have not been quarantine restrictions on cats and dogs travelling between the UK and Ireland. The UK intends to dispense, with effect from 2001, with its requirement for quarantine for dogs and cats entering or re-entering the UK from member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area or rabies – free islands, in favour of a regime involving microchip identification, vaccination, blood testing, and health certification. One feature of this new regime will be a requirement to present a certificate on arrival in the UK attesting to the fact that the animal has been treated for tapeworms and ticks.
In the meantime, the UK will be introducing from the end of this month a pilot of the new regime, entitled the "Pets Pilot Project", using certain approved carriers along approved routes to the UK. While I do not intend to introduce a similar pilot scheme in Ireland, the arrangements to apply here over the coming period are under active consideration.