Oral Answers to Questions

Claire Hanna Excerpts

Thursday 21st January 2021 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Claire Hanna (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

If he will take steps to ensure that the new regulations for Great Britain-Northern Ireland pet travel are not overly restrictive.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice)]

The Northern Ireland protocol under the European Union withdrawal agreement applies the EU pet travel regulations for pet movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Great Britain has currently been listed by the EU in part 2 of the regulations, which requires some documentation. However, Great Britain and Ireland have a similarly very high health status, and we are discussing possible bilateral provisions with Ireland. In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is taking a pragmatic approach in this initial period.

[Claire Hanna [V]]

I assume that the Secretary of State is aware of the challenges this causes for ordinary pet owners, but specifically can he advise what mitigations were anticipated and are being put in place for those who require assistance dogs to travel between Britain and Northern Ireland?

[George Eustice]

The primary purpose of the pet travel regulations is to control the spread of rabies, and both Ireland and Great Britain have very similar and very high health status on rabies, having not had it in dogs previously. We therefore think that there should be easement on the provision; we have argued with the Commission that we should be listed in part 1, but we are continuing to make those bilateral negotiations with Ireland a priority.