HC Deb 30 June 1994 vol 245 c656W
Sir David Madel

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes she is planning to the regulations that apply to the bringing into the United Kingdom of dogs from other European Union countries; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 24 June 1994]: The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) (Amendment) Order 1994 has been made today. This order implements the derogation negotiated by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for the importation of commercially traded dogs and cats under the live animals trade directive (92/65/EEC), commonly called the "balai".

Under the amendment order, from 1 July 1994, commercially traded dogs and cats will be able to be imported into the United Kingdom from other member states without quarantine if they comply with all the following strict criteria. They must:

  • be the subject of a commercial trade;
  • come from a registered holding;
  • on the day of dispatch show no signs of contagious disease;
  • have an implanted microchip identifying the animal with a unique number which will also be shown on the accompanying certification (the importer will be required to supply a suitable reader with each import);
  • have been born and kept on the holding of origin since birth with no contact with wild animals;
  • in the case of dogs, have been vaccinated against distemper; be transported by an authorised carrier;
  • have vaccination and health certificates signed by an Official Veterinary Surgeon;
  • have been vaccinated against rabies when at least 3 months old and at least 6 months prior to export (with boosters if appropriate);
  • have been blood tested not less than 30 days after vaccination to show that the vaccination has been effective; and have the movement notified in advance to the local Divisional Veterinary Officer.

The order also includes powers to check the identity of the imported animals and their vaccination status. These stringent new procedures replicate our quarantine arrangements in many respects and provide sufficient safeguards to protect our rabies-free status.