§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they keep records of owners using the Pet Travel Scheme; and whether these records include the names, addresses and details of the owners and their pets. [HL334]
§ Lord WhittyA person accompanying an animal entering England under the Pet Travel Scheme is required to complete a declaration that the animal has not been outside any of the scheme's qualifying countries in the previous six months. This form records the animal's microchip number, the name and address in the UK of a person accompanying it and, if entering this country by car, the registration number. Copies of this form are retained by Defra.
Local veterinary inspectors and animal health offices also retain copies of Pet Travel Scheme veterinary certification issued in the UK. This contains the microchip number and the breed and 18WA colour of the animal, as well as the name and address of the owner or keeper of the animal.
§ Lord Rotherwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the event of an outbreak of rabies, they are satisfied that the records of owners and their pets using the Pet Travel Scheme would enable them to track down any pet suspected of bringing in the disease. [HL335]
§ Lord WhittyThe rules of the Pet Travel Scheme are intended to minimise the risk of a pet cat and dog bringing rabies into the UK. It is more likely that rabies would be introduced by a smuggled animal, not necessarily a cat or dog, on which there would be no information.
The Pet Travel Scheme information retained by Defra would not necessarily enable any animal which had travelled under the Pet Travel Scheme to be located as there is no requirement for notification of change of address of the owner, or of change of ownership of the animal.