A guide to the new laws imposed by DEFRA about pet travel between France and the UK
The British Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, otherwise known as DEFRA, have announced some changes to their rules governing pet travel abroad. The changes, which cut waiting times after vaccination and do away with mandatory lab tests and tick treatment before travel, are being welcomed by thousands of British animal lovers who take their pets on holiday to France (Holidays in France), or who have made a permanent move to live in France (Living in France) but want to return to the UK with their pets on occasion.
The new rules are to be in line with the general regulations currently operating throughout Europe, and will take effect from January 1st, 2012. Ireland, Malta and Sweden, the only other EU countries whose policies on pet travel differed from the rest of the EU, are also changing their regulations along with the UK.
DEFRA's new rules make provision for pets to travel to the UK from non EU countries, but only if these countries are listed as approved. Australia, the USA, Andorra, Canada and Mexico are among the 54 countries on this list. Pets being brought to the UK from non approved countries have to follow a different set of rules. The full list of approved countries and regulations can be seen on DEFRA's website at the end of this article.
The new rules are seen by most as a necessary and long overdue updating of the system, which was cumbersome and costly. The old quarantine system which required all pets coming from outside the UK to spend six months in quarantine kennels at vast expense and causing misery to both pets and owners, was all but replaced some years ago by the UK's pet travel passport scheme, but this too has become ripe for change.
The big changes that will impact on pet travel between France and the UK, are that the whole process will become far less time consuming as the waiting period after vaccination against rabies is to be reduced to just 21 days, and the requirement for a blood test to prove that the vaccination has taken effect is to be removed. It will also no longer be necessary to have a vet administer tick treatments before travel. These moves will also reduce costs for pet owners, as there will be less visits to the vet, less products required and no laboratory analysis to pay for.
All pets entering the UK will, of course, still be required to be vaccinated against rabies, a precaution which has proved highly effective for many years, and the actual risk of any animal bringing the disease to the UK will remain minimal, according to Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies. Extensive scientific research has been carried out prior to making the proposed changes, and this is reflected in the new rules.
DEFRA have issued clear and concise guidelines for travelling pets, and these can be seen on their website (www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/). It is important to note, however, that until the new rules come into force in January 2012, the old rules will continue to apply, so if you are travelling before that date, please do not assume you no longer need blood tests, tick treatments etc as you will not be allowed to travel your pet if you do.
Travelling to France with Pets
Registering competition horses in France
Horses in France
Pets and Animals in France
Joanna Simm moved to the Languedoc area of south-west France in October 2004 having found her property through French Property Links.
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