The Pet Travel Scheme (Pilot Arrangements) (England) Order 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which extends to England, creates, in limited circumstances, an exemption from the requirements for pet cats and pet dogs imported into England to be placed in quarantine under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, S. I. 1974/2211. The Order does not extend to Wales or Scotland, but if an animal has been brought into England in accordance with this Order it can then be taken from England into Wales or Scotland.

The animal must be transported by a carrier authorised by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food using a route specified in the Order (article 4 and Schedule 1). It must be identified by a microchip, vaccinated against rabies, and must have had a blood test demonstrating that the vaccination was successful. Subject to an exemption for animals which have not left the British Islands or the Republic of Ireland prior to the submission of a blood sample to a recognised laboratory for testing, or have gone through quarantine or have been traded under Council Directive 92/65/EEC before that date, there must have been a six month delay between the date the sample was taken and importation (articles 5 and 6). All this must be carried out in one of the countries or territories specified in Schedule 2. It must have been vaccinated against ticks and the tapeworm Echinococcus multicularis in accordance with the Order, and must not have left the territories specified in Schedule 2 in the preceding six months.

The animal must be accompanied by a health certificate relating to rabies and containing the information set out in Schedule 3, a certificate relating to ticks and Echinococcus multicularis, and a declaration of residence (article 7).

The Minister will approve a transport undertaking as a carrier under this Order if he is satisfied that it is able to comply with the Order, and in particular the conditions in Schedule 5 (article 8). A carrier is under a duty to check that the correct documentation is carried and that the animal is imported in accordance with the Order (article 9).

The Order imposes duties on passengers bringing in cats and dogs during the journey and on arrival (article 10) and gives powers to officers of the Minister and local authorities to stop vehicles and carry out searches (article 11).

The Order makes consequential amendments to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. It also amends the 1974 Order in a way which is not consequential on this Order, so as to permit animals which will go into quarantine to be brought in at Cheriton through the Channel Tunnel (article 13).

It contains transitional provisions for blood tests carried out before the Order is made (article 14).

Failure to comply with a condition of the Order relating to importation of an animal is an offence under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. Breach of the Order otherwise is an offence under section 72 of the Animal Health Act 1981 punishable on conviction by a fine at level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000).

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Animal Health (Disease Control) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ.