Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts to ensure people with assistance dogs are able to travel to the EU after the transition period.

Defra is proactively and positively engaging with the assistance dog community and relevant stakeholders on the impacts on dog movements to the EU. We will continue to closely work with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance (in accessible formats) with their members on pet travel requirements as this is updated. The Department submitted an application to the EU Commission to become a ‘Part I’ listed third country in relation to non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets from the UK into the EU. Acceptance of this application would mean very similar documentation and health requirements to those now for pet owners and users of assistance dogs travelling to the EU. The Commission is now considering our application and the Government is continuing to engage with the them on this point. We will not be changing our requirements for pet travel into GB in the short term, in order to make the movements of pet travellers and users of assistance dogs as frictionless as possible. Any future review of the pet travel rules will take into consideration the needs of assistance dog users as a priority.