Record numbers of owners are having their pets’ blood tested for immunity to rabies so they can travel to the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Biobest, the UK’s biggest tester of rabies antibody at its laboratories at The Edinburgh Technopole, near Penicuik in Scotland, has handled a surge in demand for tests over the last two years.
During 2019 and 2020, Biobest has tested samples from 59,706 cats and dogs that have undergone rabies vaccinations – more than double the total of 24,608 it tested in the whole of the previous two years.
The increase has been attributed to more owners preparing for a ‘hard’ Brexit and the uncertainty of what will happen if the UK leaves Europe without a deal, and rules Europe could impose on UK pets travelling abroad.
ANTIBODY
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, where the UK is an unlisted third country, pet owners would need to prove animals were effectively vaccinated against rabies before they could travel with their pet to EU countries. This would require a blood titre test to demonstrate sufficient levels of rabies antibody, which would need to be carried out a minimum of 30 days after any initial rabies vaccination.
Biobest director Paul Burr said: “The surge in numbers started after Defra issued advice on the Pet Travel Scheme in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Pet owners have been preparing for two years in case of a no-deal as it is unclear what rules Europe will impose on the UK. We have to assume that the UK will be a third country so a blood test after the vaccination will be required.
“When the UK Leaves the EU, our results will still be valid for pet travel as Biobest will become an EU-recognised laboratory that is outside the EU. Our test results are valid now and will be valid in the future after Brexit.”
