transitional arrangements contained within the regulation on the
non-commercial movement of pet animals (Reg. 998/2003) which afford the UK
additional protection against rabies, ticks and tapeworms.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary
Association (BSAVA) have been lobbying MEPs to support the extension and
have strongly welcomed this decision.
The transitional arrangements allow the UK to impose stricter measures on
the entry of pet animals and are designed to protect the UK from rabies,
ticks and tapeworms (Echinococcus multilocularis).
The vote in the European Parliament today supports an extension of these
arrangements until the end of 2011 and puts in place a system so that
permanent measures can be imposed in the future for entry to specific Member
States based on scientific evidence. The decision will have to be ratified
by the European Agriculture Council before coming into force.
Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: "The Pet
Travel Scheme affords the UK's pet, wildlife and human populations
protection from serious diseases and parasites and we have long argued for
these arrangements to remain until scientific evidence can prove that the
risk is manageable.
"The BVA and BSAVA have worked closely with Defra to secure this extension
to the arrangements and we will now be pushing for investment in additional
scientific research that will give us a clearer picture of the threat of the
parasite Echinococcus multilocularis and other exotic and emerging
diseases."
Dr Richard Dixon, President of BSAVA, added: "This decision in Europe is
strongly welcomed and we are pleased that veterinary associations across
Europe supported our position. The next stage is to gather further evidence
to ensure the UK is protected in the future.
"In the meantime, the key message for pet owners is that they must talk to
their vets as early as possible to find out how to protect them from disease
and parasites when travelling abroad."
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