Cats and dogs could soon travel from the UK to the EU without costly vet certificates if a proposed agreement on pet freedom of movement is approved
The UK wants to make it easier for Britons travelling to the EU with their pets by bringing back freedom of movement for cats and dogs (and ferrets).
It is a major aim for the UK during an upcoming EU-UK summit in London next week that aims to reset relations between the two with a wide-reaching set of new agreements.
It is expected that in return for being granted easier movement of animals and certain other foodstuffs/plant products the UK will need to grant long-term fishing licences to EU vessels to work in British waters.
Fishing is one of several stumbling blocks in the talks – alongside an EU-backed youth mobility scheme and the role of the European Court of Justice.
Return of pet passports?
Since Brexit, pets of most Britons living in the UK have been ineligible for an EU pet passport, a document which makes travelling with an animal in the EU significantly easier.
People living in the EU or with a second-home there can obtain such a document – which is valid for travel in the UK – but all others are excluded from the scheme.
Currently, travellers from the UK must provide an ‘Animal Health Certificate’ showing their pet has undergone certain treatments and vaccinations, all of which can cost up to £200.
This must be attained for each trip to the EU.
Note that EU pet passports are valid in the UK, meaning those travelling into the UK with EU-based animals do not need to undergo the same obligations.
However, the UK is hoping to be brought fully back into the fold through a ‘Swiss-style’ veterinary deal, which once in place would pave the way for cats, dogs, and ferrets coming from the UK to be eligible for EU pet passports.
This would allow pets to travel freely between the UK and EU without the need for an Animal Health Certificate for each journey.
Animals would need to be kept up to date with rabies vaccinations as a condition of this.
Only non-EU countries that have a veterinary deal with the bloc can sign up for the pet passport scheme.
The deal would also see regulations on the movement of certain animal, plant, and foodstuff products – whose regulations fall under the sanitary and phytosanitary (PSP) rules – aligned to reduce trade friction.
While this is largely aimed at making trade easier for businesses, it could in theory also remove restrictions on certain plants and fresh foods from crossing the border.
Several readers have run into issues attempting to transport plants to their French home from the UK since Brexit due to the end of agreements on this.
Note however that a temporary ban by the UK on importing meat and dairy products from the EU is separate to this, and may remain in place despite the deal as it is related to prevention of a foot and mouth disease outbreak.
