AQW 18856/17-22
Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim
Tabled Date: 13/05/2021
Answered On Date: 21/05/2021
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the action his Department is taking to enable the free movement of people who use assistance dogs from 1 July 2021.
Answer:
As a result of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol, the European Union (EU) Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013), which details the documentary, health and compliance check requirements for the travel of pet dogs, including assistance and working dogs, between or into European Union Member States, continues to apply in Northern Ireland (NI), following the end of the transition phase. I am acutely aware of the impact of what I consider to be, completely unnecessary new measures on those travelling within the United Kingdom (UK). I am particularly concerned about the significant implications for guide dog users, those travelling with pets to attend shows and exhibitions, hobby breeders, and the potential impact on tourism for those wishing to holiday in NI or return to NI from Great Britain (GB) accompanied by their pets. I have therefore written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP, and to the European Commission, highlighting these issues, and particularly the entirely unjustified requirements for rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment, given that both the UK and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) are considered free from both diseases. Furthermore, I have requested that urgent consideration be given to the introduction of a ‘Common Travel Area’ for pets travelling between GB, NI and the RoI. A joint UK/NI/RoI working group has now been established to consider where flexibilities can be achieved, and I can advise that this group has met on a number of occasions and will continue to engage on these issues. This matter has also now been escalated by the UK Government to the European Commission seeking urgent resolution. The Commission has responded and technical discussions are ongoing. In the interim, I will continue engagement with Ministerial colleagues to urgently seek derogations where possible from these unnecessary additional requirements. I have also confirmed, after exploring potential flexibilities, and considering pet owners have not had time to familiarise themselves with the new rules, that DAERA would delay the introduction of any checks on compliance with the EU rules on pet travel from GB to NI until 1 July 2021. As a result, there will be no routine checks on travellers’ compliance, until then. My Department is currently considering the next steps with regards this issue. The present position is set out in the Department’s Compliance protocol, available https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/compliance-protocol-sanitary-phytosanitary-controls-and-point-entry-marketing-standards-checks-gb-ni It is my hope, however, that from the discussions and processes outlined above, sensible and pragmatic solutions can be found before then. Any progress made or flexibilities agreed in respect of the additional requirements, along with any changes to the current enforcement approach will be published on the DAERA website https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets, on the DAERA Frequently Asked Questions document https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/qas-pet-travel-1-january-2021and communicated widely through our usual Departmental media channels.
|