The government has created a new Approved Importers Scheme to regulate pet imports, including rescue animals, from countries deemed as posing a high risk to national biosecurity from infections such as rabies and tapeworm.
The authorities say the move is necessary as “an increasing number of people are choosing to import pets from abroad with the hope of rehoming them, unaware of the associated health and welfare risks”, adding that there has been “serious non-compliance in movements, exacerbated by the present crisis in Ukraine.”
The new regulations, which come into force on October 29, will allow rescue organisations to resume repatriation activities in Belarus, Poland, Romania and Ukraine, as long as they comply with the new rules. The scheme replaces the temporary ban on commercial imports, including rescue animals, from these countries.
The measures only apply to commercial imports and rescue animals and does not affect current allowances for refugees fleeing Ukraine with their pets. Pet owners from Belarus, Poland and Romania may still enter as normal, as long as they follow the current guidance.
Anyone commercially importing dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain from the previously suspended countries must now apply to be registered as an approved trader with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and share all relevant health certificates, documents and blood tests before arrival.
In order to be approved, importers must be based or have representation in the UK, have no record of serious non-compliances in the last 12 months, and share with APHA the details of the transporter and the registered premises from where the animals originate from.
Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Commercial imports, including rescue animals are often of unknown background and disease status.
“Under the Government’s new scheme, tighter controls will mean approved importers must arrive through designated points of entry and share all relevant health certificates, documents and blood tests before arrival to allow for more rigorous checks to take place. This will help protect animal and human health.”
Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon added: “We are committed to ensuring safe commercial pet movements including rescues can continue. and stopping those which carry too great a biosecurity risk.
“The new scheme means we can safely lift the temporary suspension and allow only for safe movements from Animal and Plant Health Agency approved importers, helping to ensure we maintain our biosecurity standards and our vital rabies-free status.”
