The UK has reportedly asked the European Union to rejoin its pet passport scheme ahead of the Brexit reset talks on Monday. After leaving the EU, Brits need to get a vet’s certificate in order to take their pets abroad. However, the government is now pushing for British cats, dogs and ferrets to regain freedom of movement across the continent.
A quarter of a million UK pet owners were estimated to have taken their furry friends to the EU prior to Britain leaving the scheme in 2021. However, the changes now involve added costs and time for owners to be able to take their pet to the EU or Northern Ireland. Pet passports are no longer valid under UK rules, instead owners need a vet’s certificate to confirm their rabies vaccinations are up to date.
The jabs cost between £50 and £80, with animal health certificates ranging between £100 to £200. Worming treatment required before travelling to certain countries can also cost around £15.
A pet passport, which is issued as a single documentation, is valid for the animal’s life – as long as vaccinations for rabies are up to date.
On Monday 19 May the prime minister and European leaders will meet to strike a new Brexit reset deal, which includes a defence and security pact, energy and a youth mobility scheme.
The request to join the pet passport scheme comes ahead of talks at the summit in London, with further agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures expected to be secured too.
This would align the UK to EU laws on plant and animal health, as well as following European court rulings.
A Government source said: “We have always been clear that that kind of agreement can bring all kinds of benefits.”
The scheme is one element of a wider reset of relations between the UK and the bloc on Monday, which has been criticised for Brexit betrayal.
Sir Keir Starmer appeared to be optimistic during a visit to Albania ahead of the discussions next week, saying: “I’m confident we will make really good progress into Monday.”
