Pet Travel Scheme: Improvements: Non-Commercial Movements of Pets: Legislation Amendments

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A decision made 20 September 2013:

Decision Reference:MD-PE-2013-0099
Decision Summary Title :		Improvements to the Pet Travel Scheme		Date of Decision Summary:	06/09/2013
Decision Summary Author:		States Veterinary Assistant		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?		Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :		Improvements to the Pet Travel Scheme		Date of Written Report:	06/09/2013
Written Report Author:		States Veterinary Assistant		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Changes to the legislation for non-commercial movements of pet animals.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to adopt Regulation (EU) no 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, in line with the UK; to revoke the Pet Travel Scheme (Jersey) Regulations 2011; amend Part 1 of the Schedule of Veterinary Surgeons (Jersey) Law 1999 to approve lay persons to implant microchips into animals.
Reason(s) for Decision: To update the island’s measures. Jersey, in line with the UK, will adopt Regulation (EU) no 576/2013 which will come into force on the 29 December 2014.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: States Veterinary Assistant to request the Law Draftsman to prepare a revised draft Regulation and a revised draft Order to amend Part 1 of the Schedule of the Veterinary Surgeons (Jersey) Law 1999 on the basis of a drafting brief to be supplied by the Department and for subsequent consideration by the Minister.
Signature: R C Duhamel	Initials YF/AS		Position: Minister for Planning & Environment
Date Signed:			Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pet Travel Scheme: Improvements: Non-Commercial Movements of Pets: Legislation Amendments

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Improvements to the Pet Travel Scheme legislation

Public

Purpose of the Report

It is proposed that the Planning and Environment Minister update the Pet Travel Scheme legislation and adopt Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals.

Background

The Pet Travel Scheme permits the movement of pet animals between Member States and movement into the EU so that, for example, people going on holiday or moving country can take their pet animals with them. It is not for animals that are to be sold or change ownership.

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals repeals (EC) No 998/2003 and harmonises the animal health controls applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals between Member States and from Third Countries. This new Regulation defines a pet animal and the non-commercial movement of pet animals.

The EU Commission has undertaken a revision of Regulation (EC) No 988/2003 in its entirety, in particular the aspects of delegated and implementing acts.

The existing rules, which are in the attached supporting document, for the movement of pet animals are unchanged. Experience with the application of the existing rules shows the need for some additional rules so that trade in pet animals cannot be fraudulently disguised as pet animal movements.

Since the start of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2000, Europe has had an effective and ongoing program to reduce rabies in the domestic and wild animal populations in Member States. There has not been one reported case of rabies in the EU associated with the legal movement of pets under EU pet movement system since it was introduced in 2004.

Discussion

Jersey adopted the Pet Travel Scheme in line with UK to enable continued free movement of dogs, cats and ferrets between the island and UK. From the 29 December 2014 the following new rules, which complement the existing rules, will come into effect:

The movement of more than 5 pet animals by an owner for the purpose of participating in completions, exhibitions or sporting events or in training for such events is permitted subject to certain specified conditions applying.
When a pet cannot travel with the owner or authorised person the pet animal may travel up to 5 days before or after and must be linked to a move by the owner as a non commercial movement.
Authorised veterinary officers must keep certain information for 3 years when issuing pet passports.
A person other than a vet who implants a microchip must be suitable qualified and licensed by the minister.
A pet animal must be at least 12 weeks old before anti-rabies vaccination is administered for travel.
A non-compliant animal entering quarantine under licence must fulfil the entry requirements before it can be released and this should not exceed 6 months.
A new pet passport with the additional information required is to be issued, passports issued before 29 December 2014 will still be valid. The new pet passport will have additional security measures.

Conclusion

The proposed changes to the controls on non-commercial movement of pet animals are necessary to enable appropriate control on pet movements and maintain free movement between Jersey and the UK.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to make a new Regulation to implement Regulation (EU) 576/2013; repeal the Pet Travel Scheme (Jersey) Regulations 2011 and make an Order to amend Part 1 of the Schedule under the Veterinary Surgeons (Jersey) Law 1999 to introduce controls on microchipping animals.

Written by:	States Veterinary Assistant

Approved by:	Director for Environment

[File Ref]

Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2013-XXXX

06/09/2013