I have received correspondence from constituents contacting me about travelling with a guide dog after the transition period.
I understand how important it is for guide dogs and their owners to be able to travel to and from the EU with as much ease as possible. Now that the Transition Period has ended, to travel to the EU or to Northern Ireland with your assistance dog, you will need an animal health certificate signed by a vet or a pet passport, a microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination. In addition, a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in the pet passport or health certificate every time you want to bring your pet into Great Britain. You can find more information about what is required related to tapeworm treatment here: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/tapeworm-treatment-dogs
Your airline must allow you to travel with your assistance dog if your flight departs from inside the EU. You must bring a car harness with you when you travel by air, so that your dog can be secured when the plane takes off and lands. I understand, however, that there may be additional rules to follow if your flight departs from outside of the EU, so I would encourage travellers to check with the airline before travelling.
Rail operators travelling within the EU must accept assistance dogs, but operators may have extra conditions. Again, I would encourage travellers to check with the rail operator before you travel inside or outside the EU.
Currently, there are no changes to the pre-transition period pet travel requirements for entry into Great Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland. Further, I know that ministers continue to press the EU Commission on securing Part 1 listed status for the UK under the EU Pet Travel Scheme as it is clear that the UK meets all the requirements for this, with one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect biosecurity. This would enable UK issued pet passports to continue to be used.
I know that ministers are working closely with the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure a long-term solution that supports pet owners and assistance dog users entering Northern Ireland. I understand that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland confirmed in September 2021 that there would be no routine compliance checks on pet travel within the UK until further notice. In the meantime, further guidance on pet travel to Northern Ireland is available on the DAERA’s NIDirect website.
Finally, it is welcome that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is proactively and positively engaging with the assistance dog community on the impacts on dog movements to the EU. I am assured that ministers 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.
I would encourage anyone who is taking a pet abroad to check the latest government information: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-an-eu-country-o….
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.