Sports: Animals
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of current pet travel requirements on British athletes competing internationally in sporting events involving animals.
Answered by Dame Angela Eagle
International equine movements are subject to border checks and individual countries’ imports requirements. These are vital to safeguarding animal health, human health and maintaining biosecurity. Requirements include vet checks and certification.
For movements between EU-UK, third-country imports requirements apply. Compliance with existing Border Target Operating Model controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.
At the Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. Negotiations with the EU on the agreement are underway. While discussions are ongoing, Defra cannot provide a running commentary. Defra will be reviewing arrangements as this work develops.
There are no plans to remove border checks for equines entering the UK from the Rest of the World.
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