EU Exit update: Advice on health and document preparations for pets travelling to the EU after 31 October 2019
If the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 with no agreement in place, it is likely to become an unlisted third country with regard to the EU Pet Travel Regulations. As we have highlighted in previous correspondence, this will mean that health and documentation rules for pet travel between the UK and the EU will change. We are encouraging pet owners to revisit official guidance on GOV.UK at:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit to know how to meet the requirements in all scenarios.
The advice sets out that pet owners intending to travel with their pet from the UK to EU member states would need to visit their vet at least four months in advance of their travel date. This means that those wishing to travel to the EU on 1 November 2019 would need to discuss requirements with their vet before the end of June.
If the UK is classed by the EU as an unlisted third country for pet travel, vets would have to carry out a blood titre test to prove that pets have a sufficient rabies antibody level to meet EU requirements. Depending on a pets’ history, and the result of the test, the process could take at least four months. Guidance is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit
In a no deal scenario, EU pet passports would no longer be valid. Instead, a pet travelling from the UK to the EU would need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
Until the UK leaves the EU, pets can continue to travel to the EU under the current pet travel rules using the current EU pet passport.
If you have any questions, please contact the surgery where we would be happy to help.
