§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which ports allow animals into the UK through the PETS scheme; and if she plans to extend the number of ports in this scheme. [70268]
§ Mr. MorleyAt present there are five sea ports where animals that meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme can enter England. These are Dover, Portsmouth, Harwich, Poole and Plymouth. Pets can also enter England under the scheme through Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Under the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme, any transport company wishing to transport animals to England under the scheme must seek written approval to do so from the Government. My Department has written in the past to all ferry and airline companies operating passenger routes into England to invite expressions of interest for approval to join the scheme. Whether companies choose to seek approval is a commercial and operational decision for them.