Veterinary Agreement between the EU and UK: What Does this Mean for Pet Owners?
The United Kingdom (UK) formally left the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020, triggering a transition period until December 31, 2020. During this period, the UK and EU negotiated their future relationship, including trade agreements, security, and cooperation. One of the critical areas of discussion was the Veterinary Agreement between the EU and UK, a mutually beneficial agreement that allows for the free movement of live animals and animal products between the two regions.
Before the agreement, the UK was part of the EU`s Single Market and Customs Union, which eliminated tariffs and trade barriers and provided a consistent set of veterinary standards across the EU member states. The UK`s exit from the EU meant that it was no longer part of these structures, which presented a problem for pet owners who frequently traveled between the UK and EU with their pets or wanted to import/export animals and animal products for commercial purposes.
The Veterinary Agreement between the EU and UK resolves this issue by maintaining a high level of animal health standards between the two regions. The agreement recognizes each other`s veterinary systems as equivalent, which means that the UK can continue to export animals and animal products to the EU and vice versa. The UK also remains part of the Pet Travel Scheme (PTS), which allows pets to travel between the UK and EU without the need for quarantine or additional health checks.
However, there are changes that pet owners need to be aware of since the UK is no longer part of the EU. For instance, pet owners will need to wait four months after the date of their pet`s rabies vaccination before traveling to the EU, which was not a requirement under the PTS. Pet owners also need to ensure their pets have an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official vet no more than ten days before traveling to the EU.
Moreover, pet owners must pay attention to the rules regarding commercial imports and exports of animals and animal products. The UK and EU agreed on a schedule of phased controls for these products, giving businesses time to adapt to the new rules. From October 1, 2021, all products of animal origin exported from the UK to the EU must carry specific health marks, while imports from the EU to the UK will require an import certificate and a pre-notification to the relevant UK authority.
In conclusion, the Veterinary Agreement between the EU and UK provides clarity and certainty for pet owners and businesses that rely on importing and exporting animals and animal products. By maintaining high veterinary standards and recognizing each other`s systems as equivalent, the agreement ensures that pet travel and commercial trade can continue without major disruptions. However, pet owners must be aware of the new rules that come with the agreement, and ensure they comply with them to avoid any issues when traveling with their furry friends.