Ministers relax movement laws for pets

Date: 04/07/02

By Martin Banks

MINISTERS have agreed to ease restrictions on the movement of domestic pets within the EU.

The move follows the success in eradicating rabies within the bloc in recent years.

A new system approved by agriculture ministers last week means that a rabies vaccination will be the sole requirement for travel across member state borders.

An electronic microchip, or tattoo, will act as proof that an animal has been immunised and each pet will then receive an EU passport. However, further checks will still have to be carried out to prove that animals are rabies-free before they are allowed into three member states - Ireland, Sweden and the UK.

David Byrne, the consumer protection commissioner, welcomed the move, saying: 'This has been made possible by the spectacular success of our ongoing campaign to stamp out rabies in those areas of the EU where it has been endemic.'

Ministers have agreed to ease restrictions on the movement of domestic pets within the EU. The move follows the success in eradicating rabies within the bloc in recent years.