§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that animal owners participating in the pets travel pilot scheme are not overcharged for any of the services required to clear their pets for travel; and if he will make a statement. [113741]
§ Ms QuinThe charges made by veterinary surgeons to their clients for animals participating in the pets scheme are a private matter between the client and the veterinary surgeon. However, pet owners should consider shopping around between veterinary practices. The Guidance issued to all veterinary surgeons by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) states that they must give realistic fee estimates based on treatment options. If clients feel that a veterinary surgeon has acted unprofessionally in setting fees they should contact the RCVS. Alternatively, if they feel that there may have been an infringement of trading standards legislation, they should contact the local Trading Standards Office.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has issued to pet owners to enable them to identify veterinary surgeons in France and Belgium who are able to provide the required tick and tapeworm treatment for animals under the pets travel pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement. [113740]
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§ Ms QuinWe encourage pet owners to (a) consult official lists of veterinary surgeons held by the French local authorities, or other sources of local information, (b) seek advice from their transport operators as to vets that are available. In addition, each British Consulate in France will hold a copy of the Annual Directory of Veterinary Surgeons in France. In Belgium, information on vets providing this treatment is available on the British Embassy and Belgian Ministry websites and to telephone inquirers to the Embassy and Consular Offices and the Belgian Ministry helpline. Several of the transport companies participating in the PETS pilot provide lists of veterinary surgeons in France who are able to provide treatment required under the PETS scheme. There are also several independent websites which provide details of English-speaking vets in other member states.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost per animal of(a) vaccination against rabies, (b) insertion of a microchip and (c) treatment against ticks and tapeworms in connection with the pets travel pilot scheme. [113739]
§ Ms QuinThe charges made by veterinary surgeons to their clients for animals participating in the pets scheme are a private matter between the client and the veterinary surgeon. However, an indicative cost of treatment in the UK would be as follows: £50 for an initial vaccination against rabies, £30 for insertion of a microchip and from £25 for treatment against ticks and tapeworms.