BVA And BSAVA Welcome European Commission Announcement To Extend The PETS Derogation

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 17 Jun 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) welcome the announcement that the European Commission will propose an extension to the derogation that allows the UK - along with Finland, Ireland, Malta and Sweden - to continue to apply stricter controls to the movement of pet animals from other EU Member States for time being.

Commenting on the proposal BVA President Nicky Paull said "Together with the BSAVA we believe the existing transitional arrangements are an important tool in balancing the free movement of animals with the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases such as rabies, echinococcosis and leishmaniasis.

"An extension to the derogation would at least now give us time to work closely with Defra and our European colleagues in seeking data to enable a quantative risk assessment to be undertaken. We shall continue to lobby vociferously to maintain our current restrictions to protect both our pets and our people "

Nicky Paull added, "The BVA will also continue to lobby for the voluntary reporting scheme DACTARI (Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information) to be made mandatory to ensure more comprehensive monitoring of diseases entering the country."

The European Commission is proposing that the derogation, currently due to end on 30 June 2010, should be extended until 31 December 2011. The proposal still needs to be agreed by the European Parliament and Council.

Notes

1. The UK enjoyed a quarantine arrangement which had stood for 207 years until 2000 when a scheme, known as PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) was introduced. PETS covers the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals entering Member States from third countries. These requirements include blood testing, quarantine, and tick and tapeworm treatments. It also provided five year transitional derogations for pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Malta from other Member States. These derogations were extended for a further two years until July 2010.

2. To help pet owners, the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation launched an advisory leaflet "Taking your pets abroad - your guide to diseases encountered abroad"

3. Visit our activity and advice pages for more information about the BVA view on pet travel including concerns about the future of the PETS and the ensuing risks to human and animal health which were presented in stark terms at a symposium organised jointly by the BVA and the BSAVA in April 2009.

Source
British Veterinary Association