A Ballinamallard pet owner has expressed concern over the future of pet travel throughout the island of Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Dog owner Judith Keys often travels across the Border with her chihuahua Daisy. She said: “As I’ve lived between Northern Ireland and England with my dog for the past six years, I’ve often travelled between these two places via the Dublin Port.”

Judith continued: “Travelling via ferry with a dog is stressful enough so if we reach a no-deal Brexit and all these extra requirements and costs are needed for pets to travel, I would probably want to avoid making this journey at all, which is a great shame.”

The Detail have reported that in the event of a no-deal Brexit the UK government expects to be treated as an unlisted third country in relation to the movement of pets to EU countries.

This will mean that dog owners, as well as owners of cats and ferrets, will require a new health certificate for their pets for each individual trip they make to an EU country from March 29, 2019 onwards, which will include entry into the Republic of Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has stated these certificates, their cost as yet unknown, would only be valid for 10 days after their date of issue for entry into the EU, and for four months of onward travel within the EU. These certificates can only be issued by authorised veterinary inspectors (AVIs).

Dogs, cats and ferrets owned by people in Northern Ireland would also be legally required to go through designated Traveller’s Points of Entry (TPEs) in EU countries they’re visiting in order to undergo official compliance checks.

However, ROI’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed to The Detail that, at present, the country’s only TPEs are based at Dublin Airport, Rosslare in Co. Wexford and Ringaskiddy in Co. Cork, none of which are at the Border. Additionally, the government has advised pet owners to take their animals to AVIs at least four months before travelling to the EU (including before travel to the Republic of Ireland) because dogs, cats and ferrets from Northern Ireland will also need to meet further standards.

These requirements, along with the health certificate, could cost pet owners up to £200 with costs varying between different veterinary practices. Dogs, cats and ferrets will also need to be microchipped, to have a rabies vaccination and to complete a blood test.Vets must take a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and three months before the pet’s intended travel to the EU (including the Republic of Ireland.) The sample then has to be sent to an EU approved blood testing laboratory to prove the vaccination was successful. The pet owner must also be issued with a copy of the results. This could cost between £80 to £110.

If the UK leaves the EU as planned on March 29 this year with no deal, anyone hoping to travel to the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere in the EU would not meet the necessary criteria for travelling with a dog, cat or ferret until at least the end of July, provided they hadn’t begun getting the above checks done prior to the date of exit.

Currently the same EU travel rules apply to recognised assistance dogs, which visually impaired or deaf people rely on for daily life, as regular pets. This will continue post-Brexit and will have implications for individuals who require assistance dogs, who cross the Border often, if the unlisted rules are to apply.

For more see www.thedetail.tv