5 replies to this topic

[Abi]

Currently, anyone who wants to travel with their animals and bring them back into Britain needs to have their pet vaccinated a full six months before coming back into the country and be microchipped. Their animals then need a blood test a month later to ensure the anti-rabies vaccine has fully taken. Only then are they given a so-called Pet Passport, allowing them to come back into the country.

On Thursday, Caroline Spelman, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, is expected to announce that Britain will relax the rules, bringing the country into line with more liberal regulations in place across most of the European Union.

Animals will only need to be vaccinated 21 days before coming back into the country and the blood test requirement will be dropped. The new rules are expected to come into force from the start of next year......

While pet owners will only need to vaccinate their pets 21 days before travelling if they are arriving from the EU or a developed country, the rules for some other countries such as India, will remain more strict.

Travelling with pets from these countries, the owners are currently forced to vaccinate their animal and put it into full quarantine for six months. However, this will be dropped to four months and instead of quarantine they will need just to be vaccinated.

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[sunny]

That's good news for a lot of people. I wonder how T will be classified.

[Vic801]

Mr T just told me he is quite happy in graceful retirement in Turkey and has no desire to go and visit the land of perfid Albion. But I can see this is very good news for a lot of people.

T has always had his yearly rabies jabs (he loves the visit to the vet!) since we used to go camping a lot in France and your dog has to have his jabs up to date. All kennels in France ask for up-to-date rabies and kennel-cough vaccinations. (There are areas particularly in the East of France where there have been cases of rabies). T is also the proud owner of a European passport (didn't need a photo though!). It cost 160 euros and nobody wanted to see it at Turkish customs; even though we tried to show it they were much more interested in checking the car's papers.

[Abi]

I have just looked at the DEFRA page and there is an article about the new changes that will come into force next year and some handy table showing the new requirements. I can only assume that Turkey will be included in the last table at the bottom of the article

link

[Vic801]

Abi, would you think Turkeywould be included in listed non-EU countries like USA and Australia or in the non-listed non-EU countries like Brazil, India and South Africa?

Also I am intrigued by the microchip system. Does this mean that tatoos and microchips are completely international? When T was microchipped and the vet passed the barcode reader over him to check, it came up in French on the screen (address, name of owner, vaccination dates, date of birth, tatoo number, nationality etc.)

It would really be amazing if there was some system which worked the same for everybody - I mean nobody can even work out an unique international clothes system!!

[Abi]

Vic, Turkey would be in the unlisted group and yes I agree it would be good if there was a single system, it would like life easier for everyone.