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Pet Travel Scheme

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 1 June 2026UIN 2886

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent changes to travel with pets between Great Britain and the EU on the number pets able to travel to the EU.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

On 22 April, the European Union (EU) implemented new rules which affect those travelling with their pets from third countries, such as Great Britain (GB), into the EU. This impacts rules on EU pet passports, Animal Health Certificates (AHCs), authorised persons and the number of pets allowed per single movement.

Defra has engaged the European Commission to understand how the new rules are being implemented and how this impacts those travelling from GB to the EU.

Provided that pets travelling from GB meet all the health and documentary requirements set out by the EU, owners can continue taking their pets to EU destinations. Defra does not expect the changes to result in impacts on the number of pets able to travel. To guarantee smooth travel and entry into the EU, owners resident in GB should get an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they’re travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.

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