Pet Travel Scheme

Policy:  PAC supports the principle of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) as it allows movement of companion animals while preventing the import of diseases, particularly Rabies, into the UK.  However PAC is considers that the derogation from the Directive that the UK and some other Member States have provides good protection against some other diseases and we consider the maintenance of the derogation to be essential.  We consider that government should make every effort to retain the derogation permanently.

Background:  While the incidence of Rabies in the EU has fallen significantly over the past decade as a result of an active vaccination campaign of wildlife, there remain reports of cases, particularly at the eastern margins of the EU.  There therefore remains a risk of the inadvertent introduction of Rabies from those Member States without the additional safeguards provided by the check blood test and additional waiting time allowed by the derogation.

Southern Europe also has a significant incidence of other diseases that are not present in the UK.  In particular the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis which can be a significant risk to humans, and Leishmania a malaria-like disease that can also infect humans, are common in those Member States.  Climate change appears to be allowing the spread of disease northwards and without the derogation it is likely that the UK will become part of the endemic area.

More research is required to confirm that disease is not present in the UK and PAC considers that the government should fund it.  We also consider that better data should be recorded of imported animals for use in epidemiological research.