Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Department of Agriculture and Food

Pet Passport System

12:00 pm

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding travel arrangements for an animal (details supplied). [27749/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been free of rabies for over a hundred years. The arrangements that are in place with regard to the import of non-commercial pets are designed to maintain our rabies-free status. Because of our status, more stringent arrangements apply that in some other European countries. Prior to 2004, all pets being imported from outside the UK, which shared our disease free status, had to be placed in quarantine before being released to their owners.

Since 2004 the EU Pet Passport system has applied. It is a harmonised system covering the movement of pet dogs and cats throughout the EU. However the Member States historically free of rabies, which includes Ireland, the UK, Sweden, Finland and Malta, negotiated additional safeguards. Under this system, pet cats and dogs are allowed to enter / re enter into Ireland provided that: The animal is travelling from an eligible country. The animal is identified by means of a microchip The animal has been vaccinated against rabies In addition, the following conditions are specific for entry / re entry in to Ireland and the UK . The animal has, at least 6 months before entry / re-entry been successfully blood-tested for rabies anti-bodies The animal has been correctly treated for against tick and tapeworm The evidence that an animal complies with the last four conditions above will be contained in the Pet Passport, a document standardised throughout the EU.

Given our absolute determination to remain rabies free and the grave implications of any error occurring in the system, all dogs and cats must be checked on arrival to establish their entitlement to enter / re-enter the country. To this end the requirement that pets travel as manifest cargo serves to minimise the risk of ineligible pets entering Ireland. The Deputy will appreciate the ever-present risk of smuggling involving small animals in personal cabin baggage.

On arrival, all animals are transported directly for examination to the secure quarantine facility at Lissenhall, Swords which is in close proximity to the airport. This examination consists of establishing the pet's identity by scanning of its microchip and a check of details in the Pet Passport to ensure all conditions for entry are met. All the necessary veterinary facilities and support are available there to cater for any of the eventualities that might arise.

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