Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 1

Written Answers. - Quarantine Requirements.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

133 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the current position in relation to the movement of dogs to and from the continent; and the current regulations and restrictions applying in this regard. [16599/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

For many decades past, quarantine requirements have been in place for dogs and cats entering Ireland and the UK except in relation to dogs and cats travelling between both countries. The UK Government 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. In the meantime, and from the end of February 2000, it has introduced a pilot of this scheme, the PETS pilot project, using certain approved carriers along a limited number of approved routes from EU member states and EFTA countries to the UK.

Ireland will not be operating a pilot scheme and for the present the existing quarantine requirements will continue to apply for animals entering Ireland directly from outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. However, in order to maintain the common control area operating between Ireland, UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, I have made a limited adjustment to Ireland's rabies legislation. This allows pet dogs and cats entering the UK from qualifying countries, to travel on to Ireland without the need for quarantine, provided they have come along routes approved under the terms of the UK PETS pilot project and have complied with all of the other conditions of that project. Such animals may originally have travelled from Ireland to any of the countries approved under the UK pilot project, or may have originated in one of those countries.

Irish travellers intending to avail of the scheme will be required to have their veterinary practitioners microchip, vaccinate, blood test, and certify their dogs or cats before their departure, in the manner provided for under the terms of the UK pilot scheme.

I will be maintaining close contact with my counterpart in the UK during the year in relation to the operation of the PETS pilot project and any further adjustment to our quarantine regime will be considered only in the light of the experience of this project and when further necessary consultations have been completed.